Punjab to monitor sand mining through drones, says CM Bhagwant Mann
Chandigarh, April 7: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday directed Minister of Legal and Legislative Affairs, Mines and Geology, and Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Harjot Singh Bains to personally monitor each mining site in the state. It was also decided to monitor sand mining through drones. Besides, a mining policy would be introduced in the next six months.
At a meeting with ministers and officials in Chandigarh, Bhagwant Mann reiterated the Punjab Government's commitment towards eradicating sand mafia from the state.
The Punjab CM asked contractors to keep supply of sand smooth so that people do not face shortage of sand for construction.
After the meeting, Punjab minister Harjot singh Bains said, "We are introducing a new technology. Sand mining will be monitored through drones. Boards will be put up at every legal sand mining site. Besides, CCTV cameras will also be installed at each sand mining site that will be monitored from the central control room."
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The mining minister said drone mapping of all sand mining sites would be done to protect the environment from degradation. "It will help us know how much sand has been extracted from the site, so that more than the fixed amount of sand cannot be extracted."
Punjab Mining Minister Harjot Bains said the Punjab Government, led by Bhagwant Mann, would introduce a mining policy in the next six months. All Deputy commissioners and SSPs had been instructed in this regard.
He asked the officials to earmark the legal site and put up flags so that their identities could be clarified.
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-PTC News 
Punjab Mining Minister Harjot Bains said the Punjab Government, led by Bhagwant Mann, would introduce a mining policy in the next six months. All Deputy commissioners and SSPs had been instructed in this regard.
