Jalandhar,
Local Bodies Minister Navjot Sidhu today questioned the seriousness of the Punjab Government in curbing illegal sand mining and the prevalent corruption in

the department.

Addressing the media here, Sidhu wondered who was stopping the government from impounding trucks carrying illegal sand. “The Himachal Pradesh

Government has curbed illegal mining by impounding trucks involved in the activity. It has also levied electricity charges on crushers, while no such policy has

been formulated by us,” said Sidhu, adding that levying a meagre Rs 7 a unit on 1,008 crushers in Punjab would generate Rs 150 crore revenue.

He said government contactors of sand quarries too were indulging in illegal practices. “The prescribed weight of sand carried by a tipper is different from what

is actually loaded in the vehicles,” said Sidhu, adding that while the mining was a Rs 3,000-crore industry in Punjab, the government was only able to get Rs 450

crore till date.

Accompanying Sidhu, PPCC president Sunil Jakhar said it was not possible to impound every tipper. “We have managed to increase revenue from Rs 40 crore

to Rs 450 crore and will soon take it to Rs 2,000 crore,” said Jakhar.

On the alleged “goonda tax” sought from transporters at Bathinda refinery, Jakhar alleged that it seemed to be an act of some Akali workers who wanted to

malign the government’s image. He said an investigation had been initiated into the matter.

Says onus on CM
When asked why no action had been taken against corrupt MC officials, Sidhu said the matter pertained to the Personnel Department headed by the CM.

“Earlier the CVO didn’t prosecute even a single official named by us. We now have an honest CVO.