Refuting the allegations of the opposition parties regarding the state government's lax attitude in checking illegal mining in Orissa, the state finance minister Prafulla Gahdai on Friday passed the buck on to the Indian Bureau of Mines under the Union Ministry of Mines.
“There is violation of law in exploration of mineral. IBM must be accused for such violation because the mining plan is approved by it. IBM is certainly not under the state government and we have no control over it,” said Ghadai.
He was speaking on the topic “Who is responsible for mis-utilization of mineral resources in the state” at a conclave organized by a regional TV channel.
The government has taken enough measures to cease the illegal mining activities as a result of which out of 600 odd mines only 117 mines are operational now, he added.
Even as the Centre plans to rein in the illegal mining activities through introduction of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Bill (MMDR Bill), 2011, the state government is mulling to bring a separate state specific bill fulfilling the requirement of the state. Hailing the Central bill, Ghadai said, “I welcome the new bill of the Center taking all stakeholders into consideration, but we will bring a separate bill at the state level also.”
Accusing the state government for not formulating any concrete policy for stopping the illegal production and transportation of minerals, senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra said despite requests from the 60 legislators cutting across the party line to ban the iron ore exports, the government has not taken any step in this regard.
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State Congress party attacked the government for not applying its mind for prevention of illegal mining activities. Stating that the government doesn't have the machinery, manpower and infrastructure to stop illegal mining, Niranjan Pattnaik, President, Orissa Pradesh Congress Committee, said, a single step-cancellation of trading licenses-would reduce illegal operation in mineral sector significantly. He pleaded for export of iron ore fines till the time the country develops the technology to use this material.
Speaking on the occasion, BK Mohanty, former director of mines, Orissa government, stressed on intensive exploration and scientific exploitation of minerals to augment the resources available in the state. He strongly argued for higher allocation of funds to the steel and mines department in the state budget to enable the department invest more on development of infrastructure in the mining areas.