Barinder Goyal Directs 24x7 Vigilance, Faster Environment Clearances to Curb Illegal Mining and Streamline Sector
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, July 7, 2025 – Punjab Mines and Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal on Monday issued strict instructions to officials for ensuring round-the-clock accessibility and prompt redressal of public grievances, while stepping up the fight against illegal mining across the state.
Presiding over a high-level workshop at MGSIPA to streamline the Environment Clearance (EC) process, Goyal emphasized the need to fast-track approvals in light of the recent liberalisation of Punjab’s mining policy, which allows landowners to directly apply for ECs through the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).
Addressing senior officials from SEIAA, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), and the Mines & Geology Department, Goyal said, “The environment clearance process must be made faster and more efficient. With reforms in place, delays are unacceptable. All applications must be processed with urgency and complete departmental support.”
The workshop saw active participation from key stakeholders including Additional Chief Secretary Mines & Geology Jaspreet Talwar, Director Mines & Geology Abhijit Kaplish, SEIAA members, IIT Ropar Centre of Excellence Coordinator, District Mining Officers (DMOs), and other field-level officers. Issues related to District Survey Reports and bottlenecks in the EC process were extensively discussed.
SEIAA officials acknowledged delays and assured full cooperation, promising time-bound corrective measures to streamline the approval mechanism. Practical solutions were identified through collaborative dialogue, aiming to enhance operational efficiency in the mining sector.
In a strong message to the field force, Goyal directed that mobile phones of all District Mining Officers and other mining officials must remain switched on 24x7 to facilitate immediate action against illegal mining and ensure grievance redressal at any hour. “Any official found unreachable due to a switched-off phone will face disciplinary action,” he warned, reiterating a zero-tolerance policy against negligence.
“All public complaints must be addressed strictly within the stipulated timelines. There should be no laxity in dealing with public concerns or violations of the law,” the Minister added.
Chief Engineer (Drainage-cum-Mining) Hardeep Singh Mehandiratta and other senior officials were also present at the workshop, which concluded with a firm commitment to enhance transparency, accountability, and environmental compliance in Punjab’s mining operations.