Panel set up to probe illegal mining

Amid the raging controversy over the IAS officer's suspension issue, Centre on Wednesday (August 7) constituted a three-member panel to probe allegations of illegal sand mining in Gautam Budh Nagar district in UP. The committee headed by Dr Saroj, Director in the Environment and Forest Ministry, has been asked to submit its report by Friday after ascertaining the "factual position with a view to suggesting further course of action in the matter".