Joshi: Punjab earns record revenue from mines auction

Chandigarh, January 10, 2013: The Punjab Government has earned the record revenue of 101 crore against the reserve price of Rs 4 crore from the auction of mines of only four districts , namely Jalandhar, Ajitgarh, Kapurthala and Ludhiana at Udyog Bhawan  today.

Disclosing this here today Industry Minister of Punjab Anil Joshi said that it was the result of the steps taken by the Punjab government to maintain total transparency in auction and the strict action taken against illegal mining. He further said that today the mines of only four districts of Jalandhar, Ajitgarh, Kapurthala and Ludhiana were auctioned and there have been bids of Rs. 101 crore against the reserve price of Rs.4 crore in first phase.

He said that the mines of Ajitgarh district has generated maximum revenue of Rs 34.25 crore, followed by Kapurthla district of Rs 26.52 crores. Besides that the mines of Jalandhar district has been auctioned for Rs 22.12 crore, whereas mines of Ludhiana district has earned Rs 18.20 crore for state treasury.

The Minister has directed the officials of the department to work hard in an honest and transparent manner so that the development and construction work does not get adversely affected. He said that the Punjab government was fully committed to provide the sand to common man on very nominal rates and for that he has already directed the officers to monitor mining operations in a strict manner. He said that 869 cases against illegal mining have also been registered in last 8 months.