Illegal sand mining: MP Cong forms 'fact-finding' committee

Opposition Congress today announced setting up of a two-member committee to inquire whether 100-odd dumpers seized in connection with illegal sand mining in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh were let off with impunity.

The Leader of Opposition in state Legislative Assembly Ajay Singh today announced the formation of the panel, which will be headed by Congress Legislature Party chief whip Narmada Prasad Prajapati. Bhagwan Singh Rajput is the other member of the committee.

Ajay alleged that sand mining was rampant in the state even after the National Green Tribunal's (NGT's) ban on the practice without environmental clearance.

The opposition leader said that out of 150 dumpers, allegedly carrying illegally mined sand, seized in Hoshangabad district last week, challans were issued by the authorities concerned against only 50 vehicles. The NGT on August 5 restrained sand mining without any licence or environmental clearance from river beds across the country.

Madhya Pradesh government has moved the Supreme Court seeking modification of NGT order putting a blanket ban on sand mining, saying that the order was affecting the construction industry in the state. The apex court on August 16 directed the NGT to consider the state government's plea within a week.