Hoshiarpur, February 26- Punjab Government's Mining and Geology, Soil and Water Conservation and Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal today visited Pong Dam and Shah Nehru Barrage. On reaching Shah Nehru Barrage, he was given a guard of honour by a police contingent. On this occasion, Urdupur MLA Jasvir Singh Raja Gill and Dasuha MLA Advocate Karambir Singh Ghuman were also present with him.
During this visit, Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal held an important meeting with the officials of Mining and Geology, Soil and Water Conservation and Water Resources Department. He reviewed the departmental functioning and directed the officials to take necessary steps in public interest.
While talking to journalists, he said that recently the Ravi-Beas Tribunal had visited Pong Dam and Shah Nehru Barrage. In this regard, he himself reached the spot today and took stock of the departmental functioning and arrangements. The Cabinet Minister said that the Punjab Government is fully committed to the proper management of mining. He said that the department is promoting transparency by using modern technologies.
Earlier there was a manual system, which has now been made online and CCTV cameras have been installed at every important place, so that any irregularities can be monitored. The Cabinet Minister said that taking strict action against illegal mining, the government has imposed a fine of Rs 60 crore and several FIRs have also been registered. He said that wherever negligence is found, strict action is taken immediately. Barinder Kumar Goyal said that after the formation of the government in 2022, special attention was given to transparency and good governance.
He said that the reforms made by the present government were never possible during the previous governments. The main objective of the government's policies is to provide convenience to the public and conserve natural resources. SE Shah Nehru Vijay Gill, Ex. Dinesh Kumar were also present on the occasion.