Impact of IAS Durga's action: Govt forms committee to look into illegal sand mining

The ministry's move comes in the backdrop of the action taken by the young IAS officer Durga Sakthi Nagpal against illegal sand miners who were allegedly involved in such activities under political patronage.

NEW DELHI: The Union ministry of environment and forest has constituted a three-member committee to inquire into the allegations of illegal sand mining in Gautam Buddh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh and asked it to submit its report by Friday. 

The ministry's move comes in the backdrop of the action taken by the young IAS officer Durga Sakthi Nagpal against illegal sand miners who were allegedly involved in such activities under political patronage. 

An official note of the environment ministry said that the committee, which was set up on Tuesday would ascertain "the factual position" of the alleged illegal sand mining as being highlighted by the media. 

The committee which made its first spot visit on Tuesday itself will also suggest further course of action in the matter in view of the reported incidents in the Gautam Buddh Nagar area of Uttar Pradesh. 

"The secretariat assistance to the committee, headed by a director-rank officer of the ministry of environment and forest will be provided by the regional office of the MoEF, Lucknow. The committee will submit its report to the ministry by August 9", said an office order. 

The committee will also enquire into the 'adverse environmental impact' of the alleged illegal sand mining in Gautam Buddh Nagar district. 

Though the illegal sand mining had reportedly been going in the area for long, it caught government's attention only when the media highlighted it in the wake of strict action taken by the local sub-divisional magistrate Durga Sakthi Nagpal against the miners last month. 

Nagpal had subsequently to face suspension. Although she was ostensibly suspended for ordering demolition of wall of an under-construction mosque in the area, local politicians were caught in camera claiming how they got her suspended for taking action against sand miners, the claim which was denied by the Uttar Pradesh government.