"Illegal mining of sand and gravel in the state has patronage of ruling SAD-BJP alliance and police have become a tool in the hands of mining mafia," Punjab Congress Chief Partap Singh Bajwa said at a meeting of party workers here.
He alleged that illegal mining is rampant in Pathankot and surrounding areas mainly in bed of Ravi river and Chakki rivulet.
He appealed to the Chief Justice of the High Court to take suo motu notice of alleged political connivance in illegal mining.
He said that development works and housing projects in the state were at standstill due to inflated rates of sand and gravel.
Bajwa also blamed BJP for imposition of taxes on urban people and introduction of e-trip system of tax collection.
He said that BJP ministers in the SAD-BJP government had never opposed the proposals of e-trip, property tax, power tariff hike and hefty fee on regularisation of illegal colonies.