CPM to start movement against export of iron ore: Karat

Bhubaneswar, Jul 8 (UNI) Taking exception to the report of Planning Commission sub committee on further liberalisation of mining, CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat today said his party will build a strong movement to oppose the export of iron ore.

Mr Karat told newsmen that the new Mining policy to be announced soon, will further liberalise the export and encourage the exploration of minerals in the country.

He said the export of iron ore would become a national issue in the coming days and the party would build a movement to apprise the people that such a policy would aim at 'looting' the mineral resources of the country and would not benefit anyone.

The CPM leader said indiscriminate export of ores would virtually result in to indiscriminate mining, leading to large scale displacement and environmental degradation.

Mr Karat said that the age-old Land acquisition policy needs to be either changed or amended and a clear cut policy must be formulated to decide to what extent one could allow the mining.

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