Pimpri-based businessman gets Rs 9-crore penalty notice in minor minerals case
Pimpri: An over Rs 9.67 crore penalty notice has been issued to Grow India Residency partner Jitendra Sonigara for excavating minor minerals more than the permitted limit for ‘Sonigara The Mark’ project in Chinchwad.
Pimpri-Chinchwad Addl Tehsildar Jairaj Deshmukh issued the order.
The Tehsildar Office conducted an accurate measurement through ETS. It revealed that the company illegally excavated 19,360.765 brass minor minerals such as soil and murum (brittle rock). Partner Jitendra Panaraj Sonigara and other partners are constructing the project on behalf of the company.
They mined 32,628.300 brass minerals. Then they stocked 2,767.535 brass. The company procured a temporary licence to mine and transport only 10,500 brass. However, they excavated more minor minerals. Addl Tehsildar Deshmukh took note of a complaint lodged in this connection.
A hearing was conducted. A five-time fine of over Rs 9.33 crore was imposed and over Rs 34.56 lakh royalty was sought. Thus, a total of over Rs 9.67 lakh penalty was imposed on Grow India Residency partner Jitendra Sonigara and others. The order states that the fine has to be deposited immediately.
Jitendra Sonigara said, “We have paid the Rs 2 crore royalty. The complainant is demanding money. Officials issued notice under pressure. I will approach the court over this.”
