Bokaro Steel did not violate mining plan: MP govt

Bhopal, Mar 21 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh government today informed the Assembly that the Bokaro Steel Plant undertook limestone quarrying in Katni district as per a mining plan approved by the Indian Bureau of Mines.

Replying to the discussion on a call attention notice moved by Mr Dhruv Pratap Singh (Bharatiya Janata Party), Mineral Resources Minister Lakshmikant Sharma said that proceedings, as per provisions of the mines closure plan, would be taken up on completion of mining in the area.

The Plant was granted lease for a total 1,036.458 hectares area in four villages in Katni's Vijayraghavgarh tahsil.

This comprised 945.316 ha spread over Madva, Jararoda and Gairtarai villages on the Chhoti Mahanadi's right bank granted on lease for 20 years from June, 1971 and 91.142 ha at Koteshwar village on the left bank for 10 years from May, 1982. The first renewal of both blocks was made in June, 1991 and May, 1992 respectively for 10 years, the minister said.

Mr Sharma said that it was not binding to seek the consent of landowners before granting the lease. About 567.14 ha area on the right bank, owned by 310 people, and 62.80 ha on the left bank, belonging to 200 people, were acquired in 1971 under the Madhya Pradesh Land Revenue Code and compensation provided.

Mining was not undertaken over the entire leased area and the area on the left bank came under the Bansagar Project's submergence.

The Minister denied the member's claim that the Plant management promised farmers that the land would be purchased on obtaining the lease in its favour and one member from each family would be provided employment.

On completion of mining, the land in question would remain with the peasant as ownership was not modified nor any sale deed registered.

The Minister also denied the member's contention that the Plant abandoned the mine area upto a depth 300 ft sans filling. Mining was undertaken upto a depth of only 100 ft though there was a provision to dig upto 200 ft as per the approved mining plan.

Mr Singh claimed that the cultivators, who were left landless, were compelled to work as labourers to earn their livelihood and several migrated in search of work.

UNI