Enforcement squad detects 59 cases of illegal mining, Rs 10 cr realised

The State Level Enforcement Squad functioning under the Director of Mines has detected 59 cases of illegal mining activities including illegal transportation of ore between April and July this year.

A sum of Rs 9.62 crore has been realized towards cost of minerals and fines. The district level task forces in different districts have detected 92 cases of illegal mining during April-May this year and have seized 10 vehicles. A sum of Rs 1.60 crore has been realized towards cost of minerals and fines by the district level task forces.

Meanwhile, the Keonjhar police has registered 47 illegal mining cases, arrested 136 persons and seized 67 vehicles involved in such activities. The Rourkela police have registered nine cases up to August 10 and arrested 50 persons and seized 23 vehicles engaged in illegal mining. Similarly, the Mayurbhanj police has registered 35 cases, arrested 40 persons and seized 18 vehicles.

This was informed by state steel & mines secretary Manoj Ahuja at a recent meeting on 'Enforcement Measures Against Illegal Mining' held under the chairmanship of state Chief Secretary B K Patnaik.

The State Vigilance department empowered to enquire into and take action against illegal mining, has so far registered 16 cases which includes four cases pertaining to possession of disproportionate assets. The Vigilance has filed chargesheet in respect of two cases.

It was decided at the meeting that the check gates at the border areas are to be strengthened and personnel posted there round the clock. Besides, mobile patrolling would also be intensified in the border areas.

To check movement of illegal ore across the border, it was decided to deploy one platoon of armed police force with the superintendent of police-Keonjhar. The superintendent of police-Keonjhar will make three mobile squads and the mining department will provide personnel to work in the squads.

Similarly, forest personnel and transport personnel would be deployed to work in three shifts at Nalda and Murgabeda check gates so that in each shift, inter-departmental personnel are available at the gates.

Moreover, it has been decided to post one team of the State Level Enforcement Squad at Joda who which will undertake intensive check of vehicles and mining activities of ore across the border as per the instructions of the Keonjhar district collector and superintendent of police.

The progress of implementation of information communication technology in the mining sector to bring transparency and to curb illegal mining activities was also discussed at the meeting. The roll out of e-pass in Joda and Koira circles and registration of transporters have been targeted to be completed by the end of December 2011.