To make cheap sand and gravel available, prevent illegal mining, and ensure effective disposal of crop residue, urgent meetings was held between crusher owners, mining contractors, and stone crusher owners in Punjab and . The meetings addressed the assurance of taking swift decisions related to granting permission to stone crusher owners to excavate up to 2 hectares of land. Today, the Minister of Mining and Geology, Chetan Singh Jauramajra, conducted emergency meetings with crusher owners, mining contractors, and stone crusher owners in Punjab Bhavan to ensure availability of sand and gravel at reasonable rates, prevent illegal mining, and address the disposal of crop residue to make the state pollution-free. During the meetings, the cabinet minister reiterated that the government is committed to making the state pollution-free and maintaining transparency and ethical practices in the mining sector. He urged stone crusher owners and mining contractors to fully support the government’s initiatives. He appealed to stone crusher owners to manage at least 20% crop residue in their fields under the initiatives to make the state pollution-free. He mentioned that further action on this matter will be discussed in meetings with stakeholders such as the Punjab Pollution Control Board, Environmental Department, and stone crusher owners. Jauramajra assured stone crusher owners that their demand for permission to excavate up to 2 hectares of land would be considered sympathetically, and a decision would be made soon to fulfill their long-standing demand. During the meeting with mining contractors, the minister emphasized the need to work transparently and efficiently. He stated that mining contractors engaged in legal mining activities would receive full administrative support to ensure their continuous benefit. He also addressed the demand of mining contractors for the use of digging machines in mining and assured that this demand would be considered with empathy. Similarly, during the meeting with crusher owners, the cabinet minister listened to their concerns. He mentioned that the government would examine policies of different states to provide sand and gravel at affordable rates and boost the crusher business. Responding to the demand of crusher owners to lease mining sites, the cabinet minister stated that the matter would be considered, and a suitable decision would be made soon.
