"We have received positive results by enforcing laws and rules in iron ore and manganese mining and transportation of certain minerals. Therefore, the government has decided to extend the enforcement to coal sector too," Steel and Mines secretary Rajesh Verma said after attending State Level Task Force meeting presided over by Chief Secretary B K Patnaik.
Analysing the facts available from the mining fields, the meeting resolved that mining outside lease areas by certain mines owners often create problem and led to illegal mining activities.
In a bid to stop the practice, the Chief Secretary asked collectors of mineral bearing districts to constitute more number of enforcement squads and ensure that theses squads actually operate at field level to detect the mining activity outside the limits of leased area.
"The collectors are also directed to keep regular vigil over the operating mines with regard to their complying to various legal requirements," a senior official said.
The issues relating to regulation of transport of ores through Railways and Ports also figured in the meeting.
"It has been decided that Railway authorities will make single entry & exist system in railway sidings and will install CCTV cameras for capturing of all targeted activities in the sidings," they said.
For the purpose three railway sidings at Chandipoch, Balimela & Barsuan in Koira mining circle and four sidings at Jurudi, Barbil, Bonai,and Nayagarh in Joda mining circle have been identified. (MORE)