STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Taking cognizance of illegal mining from State land by some nefarious elements, allegedly in connivance and conspiracy with the officials of concerned government departments, the State Vigilance Commission (SVC) on Monday sought Action Taken Report from the Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur.
One Godawari Devi, resident of Muttal, Udhampur had lodged a complaint against one Parshotam Singh, resident of Tikri Udhampur (former-employee of Revenue Department) regarding illegal extraction of stones and other valuable material from the State land bearing Khasra No. 158 Min, measuring about 18 Kanals and 14 Marlas at village Muttal, District Udhampur with the active support of officials of the Revenue, Forest, Geology and Mining and some other related departments, resulting in huge loss to the State Exchequer, besides, considerable damage to the ecological balance of the area.
The State Vigilance Commission, while perusing the complaint and the enquiry report prepared by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur on 24th May 2014, annexed with the complaint, observed that the report prima-facie discloses dereliction of duties and misconduct on the part of officers/officials of these departments, who instead of taking any legal action against the encroacher, as being custodians of the State property, facilitated in illegal mining in league with them amounting to misuse of official position.
While taking serious note of illegal drainage of public resources by the violator in connivance with public servants, the SVC asked the Deputy Commissioner Udhampur that as to what action has been taken on outcome of the enquiry earlier conducted by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur in the matter. Further, the Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur has been directed to submit the compliance report to the Commission by or before next date of hearing.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur in an email to STATE TIMES clarified that “Sufficient action has been taken by the office of Deputy Commissioner in punishing the officers found guilty and also for stopping the practice of illegal mining in Village Muttal of Udhampur Tehsil. The case has also been sent to State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) in 2014 for initiating exemplary action against the officials involved. The enquiry was initiated by the Deputy Commissioner based on complaint and field reports.
Enquiry was initiated by Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, vide order No DCU/SQ/880-86 dated 26th October 2013 wherein Additional DC Udhampur was appointed as Inquiry Officer and the later submitted detailed inquiry report vide letter No. ADC/PS/7/2014 dated 24th May, 2014. The Deputy Commissioner placed three officials under suspension for their involvement in illegal quarrying, including Mehboob Khan, Naib Tehsildar Udhampur, Ved Parkash, Naib Tehsildar Tikri and R K Rathore Naib Tehsildar Mali. Recently the Government, based on appeal of suspended officers has ordered a de-novo inquiry in the matter which is being conducted by the Additional DC.
Pertinent to mention here that mining in Khasra Nos 156 and 158 situated in Village Muttal of Tehsil and District Udhampur was banned by District Magistrate vide order No 1576-84/DMU/JC/144 dated 24th October 2013. Moreover, the consent to operate issued in favour of the Stone Crusher in question was cancelled by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) on intervention of Deputy Commissioner.
Further, the DC Udhampur based on the findings of the inquiry conducted by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur also furnished the case details to the State Vigilance Organisation intimating about the case, action taken including suspension of officers and initiating further proceedings in the matter. The DC had recommended on 31st March 2015 to SVO the sternest possible action against the Revenue Officers so held guilty during the enquiry.
It is evident from facts that all required action in the matter has been taken by office of Deputy Commissioner and report called by State Vigilance Commission, if any, would be furnished as and when called since no notice has been received by DC Office till date.
