Tarn Taran, October 30
Seven owners of different brick-kilns in the district have been booked for violating orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court regarding the Punjab Mines and Minerals Act, 1957 (Section 21).

Four of the seven brick-kilns belonged to a senior SAD leader of the district.

Deputy Commissioner Harmesh Singh Pabla said the brick-kilns found to be involved in illegal mining were Chetan Bricks, Khadur Sahib; Balbir Singh Jeewam Singh Assal Uttar; GP Bricks, Bahadur Nagar Valtoha; NJ Bricks Munda Pind; NJ Industries, Johal; Ashoka Bricks, Dehra Sahib; and NJ Tiles, Johal.

Four brick-kilns --- NJ Bricks, NJ Industries, Ashoka Bricks and NJ Tiles --- belong to Zila Parishad member Gurinder Singh Tony. He alleged it was an attempt by a brick-kiln union to blacklist these kilns as they had refused to pay them Rs 10,000 per kiln.

The DC said the high court had just issued orders asking the kilns to take no objection certificate (NOC) from the Environment Department before indulging in mining of earth. The court had taken a serious note of violation of norms regarding mining of sand, earth.

He said the district administration had received complaints against 14 brick-kilns regarding violation of court orders, but after the department concerned conducted a raid, it found seven owners of brick-kilns guilty of violating the court orders.

He said cases have been registered against the owners of the brick-kilns at respective police stations.

The DC gave a stern warning to the brick-kilns owners against violating the court orders and said besides imposition of fine, the licence of the guilty brick-kilns would be cancelled.