Shah Commission ends hearing on illegal mining

Miners propose to set up medical college, university in mining areas

Justice M B Shah Commission, engaged in enquiry into illegal mining in Odisha and other states, completed its hearing on Sunday. It is likely to submit final report on Odisha in May-June period before the end of its term in July this year.

On the last day of hearing, the Commission heard the submission made by the miners to develop the mineral bearing areas of the state by contributing to build necessary infrastructure such as roads, public water purification system, medical colleges and university.

The proposal included building 47 roads, establishment of a medical college with 100 beds , a university  and adoption of some government-run hospitals in Sundergarh and Keonjhar districts, which possess about 30 per cent of India’s iron ore reserve.

Earlier the miners had proposed to create a trust with a corpus of Rs 100 crore, which will supervise all the developmental work in the areas.

“The proposal would not only help people in gaining access to quality education, but also benefit them in getting better health services,” said Shah after hearing the detailed proposal on Sunday.

The proposal to set up a development trust in mining areas came when counsel for mine owners, Gopal Subramanium, during one of the hearings, said that some miners had plans to create such a fund. The Commission had then asked other miners to join the trust or contribute to it for basic infrastructure development in the area.

Noted social worker Tulasi Munda, a Padmashree awardee, on Sunday met the Commission to express her views regarding development of the mineral rich areas of the state.

The miners had requested the Commission to direct the state government for providing all necessary support in terms of clearances for the developmental activities.

“The Chief Secretary was present during the hearing, He has said that the government will have no objection to the proposal of miners and they can avail all necessary help from the government,” said Deepak Mohanty, director of mines, Odisha government.

The Commission, which has heard the pleas of miners, the state government and local activists about the alleged violation of mining rules in four phases, did not comment about the exact date of submitting reports.

“It is difficult for us to comment about exact date. We might call either the state government or the miners again, if required before filing the final report,” Justice Shah said.