PNS | DEHRADUN
The Dehradun district magistrate Savin Bansal issued orders on Wednesday mandating immediate legal action against culprits involved in illegal mining, storage and transportation of minerals under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The DM directed departments, including the Revenue, Commercial Tax, Goods and Service Tax, Forest and other allied agencies, to launch a coordinated campaign to tackle these malpractices effectively. He instructed that any instance of illegal mining, over-mining, unauthorised storage or transportation of minerals must result in immediate vehicle seizure and the registration of criminal cases under relevant sections of the BNS.
The DM warned against any leniency, emphasising that there is no scope for negligence in these matters. During a recent visit to areas like Kalsi, Doiwala and Rishikesh, the DM received numerous complaints from locals regarding rampant illegal mining activities. Taking immediate cognisance, he announced a comprehensive crackdown and issued on-the-spot instructions to control the situation. The DM also introduced new measures to address loopholes, particularly in the penalty and compounding processes, which have often been exploited by mining mafias. To strengthen enforcement, the DM has directed that First Information Reports (FIRs) be filed under Sections 303 and 317 of the BNS for offenses related to illegal mining and transportation. For cases involving forest land, additional charges under the Indian Forest Act will also be applied. Legal and prosecution officers have been tasked with assisting departments in preparing and registering these FIRs.
The DM instructed all departments to appoint gazetted officers responsible for overseeing mining activities in their jurisdictions and to promptly file cases against offenders. These officers must report their actions within one week to the DM’s office. Failure to act against illegal mining will be treated as dereliction of duty and the involved officials will face disciplinary action under the Uttarakhand State Employee Conduct Rules, in addition to legal proceedings under Section 223 of the BNS, Bansal said. The DM stated that the State’s policies, High Court directives and public concerns necessitate rigorous action to control illegal mining. He has directed sub-divisional magistrates to ensure strict adherence to these orders, with periodic reviews to assess compliance. Any slackness in implementation will result in adverse remarks in the Annual Confidential Report of the officials concerned, he said.
