Chandigarh, Oct. 1 -- The Punjab and Haryana high court has directed the Punjab government to take action on a 'Survey of India' report identifying nearly 233 sites where illegal mining activities are allegedly being carried out in Pathankot and Gurdaspur districts, warning that the matter could be handed over to an independent agency if appropriate action is not taken.

A division bench comprising chief justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and justice Rohit Kapoor issued the directions on September 24 while hearing a batch of petitions concerning alleged illegal mining in the two Punjab districts.

The court noted that despite its previous order, the affidavit of the director (mining), Punjab, had not been filed. It directed that the affidavit b...