Uttarakhand's mining policy comes under scanner

The Uttarakhand government’s mining policy has come under scanner following its decision to issue licences to private players in the sector despite a ban in the eco-sensitive Himalayan zone.

At the centre of controversy is a Haldwani-based company which has been given a mining licence in the hilly Bageshwar district, considered to be highly fragile and prone to landslides.

The decision has led to a lot of resentment among the Opposition, which is now seeking a review of the whole policy. The issue also came up in the state assembly, which was adjourned today amid uproarious scenes with the Opposition members alleging that the private companies were being given licences for mining in the eco-sensitive areas in gross violation of stringent environmental norms and without any proper clearances from the Centre.

The Opposition members claimed that Haldwani-based Great Himalayan Minerals and Chemicals limited was issued the licence for mining in 14.5 sq km area in Kukroli area of Bageshwar district that too without calling any tender process.

Later, parliamentary affairs minister Prakash Pant denied any favouritism in the mining policy.