President United Quarry Association accuses official of ‘malpractices’ Appeals ACB to intervene

Srinagar: A quarry holder Monday alleged that District Mineral Officer Srinagar from Geology and Mining Department demanded ‘bribe’ from him for resuming quarrying operation, though there has been a complete ban of quarrying since 2016.
Showkat Ahmed Bhat, President United Quarry Association, Athwajan emerged in Press Enclave Srinagar and accused District Mineral Officer Srinagar, Sartaj Ahmed Buddo of taking bribe from quarry holders. He said the DMO was demanding bribe of Rs 5 lakhs from him to allow them to resume quarrying operations despite ban. When I refused to pay him Rs 5 lakh, he started seizing our tippers and in fact got a case registered against me at police station Nowgam,” Bhat said.
He said after few days when he refused to grease the palm of the said officer, he seized his tipper. “He seized my tipper on 9 July and now will release the same tipper on 20 July while the other tippers are being released from custody after 4 days only. He is having personal grudge with me,” Bhat said.
Showkat Ahmed Bhat sought intervention of Anti-Corruption Bureau and demanded probe into what he termed ‘shoddy’ dealings of the District Mineral Officer Srinagar, Sartaj Ahmed Budoo.
“The tenure of a DMO is only 2 years at a particular place but this DMO is in Srinagar from past 4 years,” Showkat Ahmed Bhat said.
“I have no personal ill-will or any complaint against any other official of Geology and Mining Department but I demand action against DMO Srinagar,” he said.
“This DMO had issued notices but still illegal sand extraction was taking place in Raj Bagh, Padshahi Bagh, Takanwari, Gandabal and Parimpora. It should be probed on whose behest the illegal sand extraction was taking place,” Bhat said.
When contacted, the said DMO Srinagar, Sartaj Ahmed termed the allegations baseless saying if the person who is leveling these allegations has any proof, he should come forward and show it to the authorities. “It is not good to level baseless allegations. I have no personal grudge with the man but don’t know why is resorting to lies,” the official said. (KNT)