No rampant illegal mining in state, court appointed commission

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Arun Mishra and had appointed (Rtd.) Justice K S Choudhary as one man Commission to unearth the ground realities behind the flood of litigations alleging illegal mining in various areas.

The commission found that 12 of the 14 PILs were frivolous but said little on the allegations of illegal mining against Minister Bharosilal's son and wife of Yogendra Arya, former OSD to the chief minister.

The committee said that out of nine mines allotted in village Khareta, Hindaun City in Karoli four belong to son of Bharosilal and two were in the name of wife of Arya.

"Whether this land is in forest land or revenue land, is yet to be decided by concerned departments or high court as high court has passed a separate order on 16.11.2011 in a writ and has asked forest department to grant opportunity of hearing before cancellation of lease," said the over 1150-page report, which was submitted to court on May 31 and made available today.

However, the committee did find illegal mining in border areas of Rajghar, Sikar and remote places in Alwar district adjoining Haryana.

The committee said that though mining operations have been completely banned in Haryana but the state government has allowed installion and operation of crushers for which raw material is being sourced by illegal mining from adjoining Rajasthan.

"To check illegal mining to some extent state of Haryana should be requested not to give consent to install and operate crushers," suggested the report.

The committee suggested that deep hole blasting be completely banned in minor mineral leases. Plantation should be in 33 per cent area of the mining lease or in any other land near lease area.

Modernised check post at all strategic points where there is cluster of mines or where in 10 Km radius mines are scattered for the trucks and dumpers carrying minerals from such mines should be made compulsory.

50 per cent leases must be given to person residing in that area at least for last 10 years. If mining lease holder is found guilty of illegal mining three times or more, his lease should be cancelled without notice.