Punjab CM announces 'Mission Clean' to go strict on illicit sand mining, liquor, drug trade

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Sunday announced 'Mission Clean' to be implemented all across the State. The aim is to go strict on illicit sand mining, liquor, and drug trade. While chairing a meeting of all the Deputy Commissioners and the SSPs, the Chief Minister ordered them to take strict action against the unscrupulous elements indulging in illicit practices related to sand mining and liquor besides also adopting zero tolerance for the drug trade and corrupt practices. Also Read | Punjab Govt issues guidelines to release ex-gratia to nominee of those who died due to Covid-19 "In the wake of festival season, the shopkeepers must be facilitated in every possible way to sell their wares such as crackers and eatables", said Charanjit Singh Channi. Also Read | Neeraj Chopra receives his customised Mahindra XUV 700 Coming to the issue of sand mining, the Chief Minister said that the sand rates have been fixed at Rs. 9 throughout the State and strict adherence to the fixed-rate must be ensured by all the Deputy Commissioners and the SSPs who must focus on going strict on illegal sand mining. Besides, the people indulging in the transportation of the same should not overcharge, said the Chief Minister adding no laxity in this regard would be tolerated at any cost. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister added that the Panchayats should not be made to pay any charges for levelling of sand and gravel to be used in village development works. The Chief Minister also held a meeting of the Vigilance Department on the occasion in the presence of the Director, Vigilance Bureau Sidharth Chattopadhtaya, and all the SSPs and gave clear directions with regard to ensuring the success of 'Mission Clean' by taking strong action against those indulging in corruption. "The people should not face any difficulty and negligent approach in the implementation of these directions would be intolerable", added the Chief Minister. -PTC News