category Regional, chandigarh, , tags Regional, chandigarh, , DW BUREAU Chandigarh The Punjab Government has taken strict actions to stop the illegal mining in the state with the intervention of the latest technical mechanism. Giving further details, the official spokesperson of the Mining and Geology department said that all the mines are geo-tagged and geo-fenced by the department before the starting of the mining operations. Currently, geotagging or geofencing of mines located in the state of Punjab has already been completed are also available in the public domain through department portal. The spokesperson said that pre mining survey has been done with the help of drones on all the mining sites, allotted by the department, so that illegal mining can be stopped. A provision for online complaints has also been made in the Mining Portal (Mineral Sale Management and Monitoring System) https: minesandgeology.punjab.gov.in. An android application (Punjab Sand) , has been available on the Google Play Store which can be downloaded by any person, for the purpose of making complaints about the illegal mining along with the coordinates and pictures in any area in the State. It is worth bringing to the notice that up till October 31, 2023, a total 5366 cases have been registered by Police Department against illegal mining in the State. The Department of Mines and Geology has also constituted a District Level Task Force to curb illegal mining in the State as per NGT orders. In compliance with NGT orders, a total of 110 FIRs have been filed, and 156 vehicles have been seized in Ropar District. Additionally, in instances of illegal mining in Ropar District, the Department has cancelled the registration of 13 crushers. (editor dailyworld.in)