Srinagar/Jammu, May 4: Government has on Tuesday constituted a four-member panel mandating it to carry an in-depth examination of alleged illegal activities and operations of stone crusher units in and around river Tawi in contravention to the directions of Jammu and Kashmir High Court.
The Committee as per an order, of which a copy lies in possession of Srinagar-based news agency Global News Service (GNS), would be presided over by O.P Bhagat, Director Geology and Mining, J&K as Chairman alongside R.C Kotwal, Director Finance I&C with additional charge of Mining Department; Romesh Gandotra, Assistant Mining Engineer as members and Dr. Raj Kumar, In-charge Deputy Director, Geology and Mining as Member Secretary.
The Committee as mandated by the order would be examining the issue of operation of crusher units in Tawi River since 2018 and to look into measures taken to curb illegal mining in Tawi river in compliance of Hon’ble High Court’s Order.
The Committee would suggest measures to curb all malpractices with respect of mining and processing of river bed material from Tawi River and also to suggest measures for allowing regulated mining and disposal of river bed material to prevent flash flood incidents, the order states.
The committee, as stated, is to examine the allegations made and the representations received about the high handedness of the department.
The four-member committee shall be serviced by Directorate of Geology and Mining Department, J&K and will submit its report within a week’s time, it further states. (GNS)
