KP govt claims ending illegal mining
July 27, 2021
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has claimed that illegal mining has ended in the province, while the Minerals Development Department has surpassed other departments in the province by collecting extraordinary revenue of 54 percent higher during the previous financial year 2020-21. The government set a target of Rs 3450 million, but the department collected Rs 5221.879 million of the revenue. Around 120 percent of significant revenue has been increased in the last two years.
More than 30 officers were suspended and disciplinary action was taken against them, including grade 20 officers to stop illegal mining across the province. In the last two years, as many as 2669 complaints of illegal mining have been sent to the police, and 1336 were converted into FIRs. All empty blocks and sites have been auctioned off. The establishment of the gemstone laboratory, technical training, and certification center has been approved to generate revenue and produce skilled labor. Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mahmood Khan appreciated the overall performance of the Mineral Development Department especially revenue collection and curbing the illegal mining in the province said that the government will ensure the strengthening of the Mineral Development Department in terms of human resources, vehicles, and other operational budgets. Illegal mining will not be allowed in the province.