Surinder Choudhary, the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Mining in Jammu & Kashmir, has criticized the Director of Geology and Mining for allowing the continued employment of officials who had previously been suspended or transferred. He has called for an investigation into the matter.
During a press conference following his visit to the area, Choudhary, who oversees several portfolios including Public Works, Industries and Commerce, Mining, Labour and Employment, and Skill Development, expressed his astonishment at the presence of these officials, who were removed from their positions amid serious allegations. He described the directorate as a “fish market” and suggested it is a hub for illegal mining activities.
Choudhary stated, “It appears that illegal mining is being facilitated from within the Mining Directorate in Jammu.” He noted that neither the director nor the joint director were present in the office during his visit, as they were attending a meeting with the chief secretary. He plans to visit the secretariat to inquire directly with the director and joint director about the continued employment of these officials.
The Deputy Chief Minister attributed the ongoing issues to the “administrative challenges” faced by his government, which currently operates as a Union Territory rather than a full-fledged state. He remarked, “Some individuals exploit this situation and seek to evade accountability by appealing to other authorities regarding their misconduct.” He emphasized that such actions tarnish the government’s reputation, but asserted that those responsible would ultimately face consequences for their actions.
The mining department has faced criticism in the past. In February, teams from the Anti-Corruption Bureau conducted raids on various stone crushers in locations including Bajalta, Gandyal, Kaller, and Doongi, as well as at the Rajouri district mineral office and several mining blocks. The department reported that many stone crushers and block holders were found to be engaged in illegal mining practices, violating regulations and causing significant ecological damage in the affected areas.
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