Shimla, Mar 30 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh government will undertake dredging operations in all areas where rivers cause damage, particularly during the monsoon season, said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday.
Responding to a question from MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaur raised by MLA Chandrashekhar in Gaur’s absence, the chief minister told the House that dredging operations have currently started in the Beas River in Kullu district on a pilot basis.
If this experiment proves successful, the initiative will be implemented across the entire state. He informed that 42 locations have been identified for dredging, and the list includes the tourist destination of Manali.
He emphasised that the government would prioritise dredging the Beas River in Manali to mitigate the damage the river currently causes in that area.
However, he also pointed out that obtaining permission under the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) is a mandatory prerequisite for dredging, and the process is currently facing several procedural hurdles. He further said that the Chakki Khad (stream) in Kangra district would also be included in the list of sites designated for dredging.
The chief minister also announced that the government would introduce a policy to protect tractor owners in the state from being fined and ensure they are not penalised for engaging in mining activities for their own personal use.
He said the government intends to exempt tractors from the purview of traffic and mining fines, and a specific policy proposal would be brought before the state Cabinet in this regard.
Sukhu explained that this policy would seek to devise a mechanism through which tractors are exempted from penalties imposed by both the police and the mining department.
He said that, under current regulations, there is a provision to issue a fine of Rs 4,700 against a tractor owner if the vehicle is caught engaging in mining activities.
He said that the state Cabinet has authorised the Forest Development Corporation to undertake dredging operations within forest areas.
In this regard, Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur and MLAs Kewal Singh Pathania and Ranvir Singh Nikka also asked supplementary questions. PTI BPL HIG HIG
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