The Mineral Department has imposed penalties totalling to almost ₹3 crore on five contractors (total) for allegedly quarrying illegal stones in Matiya village.
Assistant Mineral Officer Umesh Kumar Bhargava stated that where ever stone was seen as being illegally lifted, action has been taken against the contractors, namely stonecutters – Dhanesh Agrahari, Abhaykant Sinha, Ammi Reddy, Mahesh Pritwani, Manoj Sahu.
It said the five contractors have been slapped with a total penalty of ₹2,90,88,600.
The department has additionally taken 7 chain-mounted Synchrotron machines, said to be operating illegally for mining activities in the region. The seizure was implemented as a part of attacks against the contractors involved in the case.
Officials stated that this issue has been forwarded into court for further action.
The action follows the continued monitoring of certain mining operations and actions being taken by the authorities in response to mining regulations violations alleged. The penalties, including fine and equipment seizure, for illegal extraction may apply.
The Mineral Department will proceed with the case through the judicial process which will be determined of the judicial proceedings after the trial.