POONCH: A panel headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, Dr. Basharat Hussain today held a public hearing for Minor Minerals in Block -09 and Block-10, here at village Ajote.

On the occasion, Divisional Officer Pollution Control Committee, Badar Hussain, Representative of Pollution Control Committee, Dr. Mohan Lal, District Mining Officer (DMO), Javid Ahmed, PRI members and other officer/officials of Pollution control committee were present on the occasion.

The project is proposed to mine sand in an area of 8.8 hectares of Block-09 and 7.61 hectares of Block-10 in river Batar at village Ajote.

On the occasion, locals raised various points including, early completion of Minor Mineral Mining Process, so that unemployed youth can avail the benefit and get livelihood, illegal mining must be banned, more children drown into the river and loss of their life due to illegal mining besides other issues related to river bed illegal mining were highlighted by the public and PRI members on the occasion.

The Environmental Consultation Committee briefed the audience about the details of the proposed mining and disseminated the necessary awareness among the public and emphasised them about the ill effects of over extractions of minor minerals on the ecosystem.

He said that mining should be done about 30 feet away from the river bank and the area where mining will be done should be sprinkled with water so that there is no pollution.

The Additional Deputy Commissioner, in his address, made the locals and PRI members aware about the project details and listened patiently to the demands raised by the public. The Additional Deputy Commissioner, assured that the genuine concerns of the locals for reasonable rates of minor minerals and mining rights to their respective village shall be appropriately addressed.

KR Desk