From running illegal vends to putting up unauthorised toll barriers, the mining mafia with the help of politicians are taking part in all unlawful activities.
HOSHIARPUR – Mining mafia, allegedly with the backing of politicians in power from Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, have created a state of lawlessness on a 30-km stretch on either side of the Beas.
The mafia has not only opened illegal sub-vend but has also put up unauthorised toll barriers, which is causing losses to the exchequers of both Punjab and Himachal.
The contractors have made all arrangements for their workforce and truckers who frequent the area from far-flung places for sand, gravel and crushed stone. Liquor vends have been set up at makeshift huts, which is illegal as there is no provision for opening sub-vends under the Excise Act.
Hoshiarpur Excise and Taxation Officer (ETO) AS Kang feigned ignorance about the setting up of an illegal extension counter of the liquor vend in Handowal village. “Nobody is allowed to set up a sub-vend. In case it has been set up, the liquor contractor concerned will be challaned,” he said.
An unauthorised toll tax barrier has also come up in Riali village, which falls under the Excise and Taxation Department, Kandwal (Himachal). The contractor to whom the toll barrier at Bella Thakuran was allotted is learnt to have set up a tin shack in Riali village on a road leading to Handowal village in Punjab and has started collecting tax from vehicles plying on the temporary link road.
Kandwal ETO Tek Chand said he had called a meeting of the toll-tax contractors to know the exact position as there were similar complaints against them, too.
