Even as a three-member committee of the Ministry of Environment and Forests found illegal sand mining rampant along the Yamuna in Gautam Budh Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday said strict action was being taken against persons involved in such activities. Mr. Yadav told reporters, “Strict action is being taken against those involved in illegal mining without getting a no-objection certificate from the Environment Ministry.” He added that a system of e-tendering had been introduced to ensure transparency in mining bids.