Nagpur, 13 Dec (HS): Nine employees including four

tehsildars, for circle officers and two talathis were suspended in connection

with illegal mining of minor minerals in the land reserved for social forestry

in Mawal tehsil of Pune districts.

Following enquiry, it was found that additional 90,000

brass was excavated beyond the permission. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar

Bawankule announced suspension of the officials in the Legislative Assembly.

The issue was raised by Sunil Shelke through a call attention motion. Shelke

also alleged that the District Collector provided misleading information and

tried to protect the accused.

Bawankule informed that the Divisional Commissioner

conducted enquiry twice. Excavation was permitted in Group No 36, 37 and 38. It

was also done on Group No. 35, 41, 42 and 46 without proper permission.

An offence against the accused has been registered.

Those carried out excavation will have to pay the fine.

Enquiry against the accused employees will be

completed within completed within three months and the enquiry report will be

tabled, Bawankule said.

Replying to supplementary questions, Bawankule said only

15 trees were cut, the permission for which was received.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar