All geared up to take on the problem of illegal mining head on, the Punjab Government has decided to initiate stringent measures. It has prepared a comprehensive plan to tighten the screw on the offenders. The State Industries and Commerce Minister Madan Mohan Mittal on Sunday issued strict instructions to all the district officers and other officers of the department to check illegal mining in the State.Mittal, presiding over a high-level meeting of the department at Ludhiana’s Circuit House, has asked for a detailed report of illegal mining from each district every month. Besides, he also encouraged the officers to give their views to hold back the illegal mining. “Auction process of mining would make easy and after creating groups, department would allot mines by draw system to the successful bidders. The industry department would also be equipped with sufficient infrastructure to curb illegal mining and department is also planning to make a special task force to check the illegal mining,” he added. He directed the district officers to send a detailed report regarding illegal mining FIR’s, unauthorised gravel crusher sealed and other irregularities to head office on monthly basis. In addition, he also directed the department officials to work hard in an honest and transparent manner so that the development and construction work does not get adversely affected. He directed that unauthorised gravel crushers would be immediately sealed.In the meantime, it is discussed to establish village level committees to curb sand thefts. “For Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Ropar and Mohali, separate General Managers would be appointed as these areas have number of mines and more officers would be deputed there,” he said. The Minister informed that 49 mines out of the total 300 had been auctioned and very soon more mines after getting clearance certificate would be auctioned. Mittal cleared that on sand theft issues, there is no political pressure of any kind and offenders would be tackled according to the law.