29 villages in Moga notified under sand scheme

The Punjab Government has notified 29 flood-hit villages in the Dharamkot area of Moga district under the “Jihda Khet Usdi Ret” scheme. The move aims to provide relief to farmers whose fields were inundated by sand and silt deposits brought by recent floods.

Under this initiative, landowners are permitted to remove or de-silt sand and other river material accumulated on their agricultural land without obtaining any permit or no-objection certificate (NOC). This exemption will remain in force till December 31, 2025.

Moga Deputy Commissioner Sagar Setia said the step was intended to help farmers reclaim their arable land affected by flood debris. The process will be supervised by the Executive Engineer of the Water Resources Department-cum-District Mining Officer, Moga, to ensure that sand removal is conducted scientifically and responsibly.

He clarified that the activity will be treated as an one-time measure for land restoration and will not be considered mining of minerals. However, landowners must ensure that the original surface of the field is not damaged during sand removal, and no ditches or trenches are created. The Executive Engineer-cum-District Mining Officer will also ensure that no illegal extraction occurs outside the notified fields, particularly from riverbeds or public areas used for commercial mining.

The 29 villages notified under this scheme include Sanghera, Kambo Khurd, Kambo Kalan, Sherewala, Bhaini, Mehruwala, Madarpur, Bandala, Melak Kalan, Mander Kalan, Daulewala Kalan, Daulewala Khurd, Gattijattan, Chak Tarewala, Chak Bhora, Chak Singhpura, Bassian, Sirsari, Kamalke, Gatti Kamalke, Parliwala, Said Jalalpur, Jhuggian, Adarman, Baghe, Sherpur Taiban, Rehrawan, Manjli, and Bir Sarkar.

Issuing a strict warning, the DC said any violation of these directions would be treated as illegal activity. The Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) and the Executive Engineer-cum-District Mining Officers concerned have been instructed to ensure that no unauthorised mining takes place beyond the scope of this notification. Violators will face action under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.

Punjab