Haryana Government Suspends Yamunanagar Mining Officer
The Haryana Government has suspended Assistant Mining Engineer (AME) Rajesh Kumar-I of Yamunanagar district with immediate effect over alleged enforcement lapses, according to an order issued by the Mines and Geology Department on July 3. The suspension was ordered under Rule 5(1) of the Haryana Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 2016.
The suspension order, signed by C G Rajini Kaanthan, Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Haryana, Mines and Geology Department, states that during the suspension period, the officer's headquarters will remain at the office of the Director General, Mines and Geology Department, Panchkula.
Show-Cause Notice Issued Earlier
While the suspension order does not explicitly detail the reasons, the officer had been served a show-cause notice on June 24 over alleged lapses in enforcing action against illegal transportation of mining minerals and overloaded vehicles. The notice referenced a video and complaint circulated on social media alleging that a large number of mineral-laden vehicles were operating near the Shahzadpur barricade during early morning hours, causing severe traffic congestion and public inconvenience.
The notice further alleged that overloaded vehicles were moving unchecked and that the Mines and Geology Department failed to maintain an effective enforcement presence in the area. The department observed that if the allegations were proven true, they would indicate serious lapses in monitoring, supervision, and enforcement of mining laws, potentially resulting in illegal mineral transportation, overloaded vehicle movement, public inconvenience, and an adverse reflection on departmental functioning.
Details Sought from Officer
In the notice, the Assistant Mining Engineer was asked to explain why effective enforcement action was not ensured in the area during the period mentioned in the complaint and why timely preventive or corrective measures were not taken to regulate mineral-carrying vehicles. The officer was also directed to furnish details of any checking, surveillance, naka, inspection, or enforcement drives conducted in the area on the relevant date and time, along with documentary evidence.
Additionally, the department sought details of action taken against overloaded vehicles and those suspected of illegally transporting minerals in the area during the relevant period. The show-cause notice required the officer to submit a comprehensive, factually supported reply, including all relevant records, inspection reports, checking reports, enforcement data, and other documentary evidence, within two days of receiving the notice.
Officer Unavailable for Comment
Despite repeated attempts, Rajesh Kumar could not be reached for comment. The suspension highlights the Haryana Government's focus on addressing corruption and enforcement failures in the mining sector, particularly concerning illegal mining and overloaded vehicles that cause public inconvenience.
