Flouting order,panchayat allows mining on land

In violation of the orders of the block development and panchayat officer,the panchayat of village Nangal Arayian allowed removal of earth from over six acres of panchyati land used for agriculture purpose at a rate seven times less than the prevailing market price,for reasons best known to it.

In violation of the orders of the block development and panchayat officer (BDPO),the panchayat of village Nangal Arayian allowed removal of earth (mining) from over six acres of panchyati land used for agriculture purpose at a rate seven times less than the prevailing market price,for reasons best known to it. The panchyat did not wait for the re-auction of the land which was fixed for May 31 and permitted mining on Wednesday evening,May 25. Villagers ultimately filed a complaint with Kartapur police.

Notably,the BDPO had already cancelled the auction held on May 14 for earth removal and ordered re-auction of land for agriculture purpose only. The re-auction was scheduled for May 24 but village sarpanch,Asha Rani,did not turn up at the auction citing health reasons.

It is learnt that this land is auctioned annually and is allotted to farmers for cultivation. This year the land was allotted for mining by holding an auction on May 14. The land was auctioned at the rate of Rs 3.01 lakh for removing earth to a depth of four feet. The minimum market rate even in the remote areas of the state is not less then Rs one lakh per acre for mining to a depth of one foot. The panchayat could have earned at least Rs 24 lakh from this land but it auctioned it for just Rs 3.01 lakh,said a panchayat member requesting anonymity.

While such facts were brought to the knowledge of BDPO Bhogpur,Sewa Singh,he cancelled the auction on May 18. The BDPO held that the panchayat auctioned the agricultural land for earth removal by hiding facts. He directed the sarpanch to re-auction the land for agriculture use and fixed May 24 as the date for this purpose.

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Asha Rani