Speaker directs MP to stop illegal mining

Bhopal, Nov 9: Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Ishwardas Rohani today directed the government to take stringent steps to curb illegal mining and amend rules if required in order to bring illegal miners to book.

Raising the issue during Question Hour, Dr Sunilam (SP) alleged that illegal mining was being carried out freely and has resulted in a loss of Rs 20 crore to the state government.

He said no action was taken despite the fact that the Madhya Pradesh High Court Registrar (Vigilance) had directed to bring an end to illegal mining. Two miners, including one hailing from Mumbai, were involved in illegal mining.

Minister of State for Mineral Resources Lakshmikant Sharma assured that steps will be taken to rein in illegal mining as per the High Court's direction and pointed out that unlike the forest department, the mineral resource department had no powers to arrest people, seize vehicles or register FIR on the spot in such matters.

''In such matters, we are required to write to concerned departments for taking necessary action,'' he said, adding that the mineral resource department imposed maximum fine in such cases.

Mr Sharma said a written communication is required to be sent to concerned departments for necessary action.

Dr Sunilam alleged that political interference was the biggest hurdle in curbing illegal mining and pointed out that the then Betul Collector was transferred when he started taking stringent measures to stop illegal mining.

Brushing aside the insinuation, a ruling BJP MLA said there were several complaints regarding the working style of the Collector and his transfer had nothing to do with illegal mining.

Amid allegations and counter-allegations, the Speaker described the issue as serious and urged the government to charge maximum fine in order to curb illegal mining besides making effort to bring amendments in rules so that the mineral resource department had powers similar to the forest department so that illegal mining could be stopped.

UNI