Geology & Mining Department disappoints people in south Kashmir

SRINAGAR — Geology and Mining Department has miserably failed to check unabated extraction of sand, soil and other minerals at various places in four districts Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam and Anantnag, making civil society very disappointed.

Amid lockdown, night extraction of sand and soil is going on in Waghama along the banks of Jhelum and the officials of Geology & Mining Department and Revenue authorities, are in n deep slumber.

Time and again issues related to unchecked extraction of minerals, as per the locals, has been raised with concerned SDMs, Tehsildars and Mineral Officers but they have turned deaf ear to the issue.

People in south Kashmir alleged that there seems to be complete nexus between the officials and the sand/soil mafia.

Moreover, not only clerical staff but Mineral Officers in these four districts too have matured stay, that is why this has given free hand to the violators and there seems no one stopping the illegal soil and sand extraction at various places.

Civil society has appealed Director, Geology and Mining to initiate action and reshuffle whole staff of the department as well as In-charge officials of Qazigund, Bijbhehara, Dooru, Jawahar Tunnel, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama, so that soil cum sand extraction will be stopped.