NMDC under lens for pollution, recruitment in Chhattisgarh

The company has been accused of polluting two important rivers of Bastar namely Dankani and Shankani

Chhattisgarh government would take up fresh survey work on the rivers in Bastar in which the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) was allegedly flowing industrial waste causing pollution.

The issue came up at the meeting of Bastar Development Authority (BDA) Chaired by Chief Minister Raman Singh in Jagdalpur-about 300 km from here. The authority members said the industrial waste from the NMDC was polluting two important rivers of Bastar namely Dankani and Shankani.

"The state government would conduct a survey to verify the facts and take necessary action in this connection," Singh said in the meeting. A special team from the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) would be deployed to take up the work.

Singh said the team would submit its report to the state government that would take necessary action based on the facts. "If the NMDC was found guilty of polluting the rivers, it would be asked to compensate the loss," the chief minister said.

The NMDC-country's largest iron-ore producer and exporter-had a major mining operation in the state. Of the three 3 fully mechanised mines of the NMDC, Bailadila Deposit-14/11C, and Bailadila Deposit-5,10/11A are in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district. The company is producing about 30 Million Tonnes (MT) of iron ore from both the mines.

The state government had also suggested the NMDC to give priority to the local youths in the jobs generating in both the projects. "The class three and four employees could be recruited from the local populace and the company should give a serious thought on the issue," Singh added. He said the state government would take up the issue with the Union Government.