ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS FOR MINOR MINERALSDistrict functionaries told to undertake enforcement drive to curb illegal mining and transportation. massive
Bhubaneswar: Odisha chief secretary Manoj Ahuja Thursday directed the district collectors and SPs of the State to launch a massive enforcement drive against illegal mining of minor minerals.
The CS, in a video conference, told the collectors and district magistrate and Superintendent of Police of the State to curb illegal mining and transportation of minor minerals.. Amongst other issues deliberated, one of the important topics of deliberation was the cases of illegal mining of minor minerals.
Ahuja has said that strict instructions be given to conduct raids in the sand and stone quarries, check illegal mining, at the source and book cases as per law against the accused. Simultaneously, strict action is to be taken against illegal transport of minerals/ transport without E- Transit Pass.
Where-ever it is established prima facie that a vehicles is involved in illegal transport of mineral, shall be seized forthwith as per law. The strategy for enforcement drive shall be decided jointly by Collector & SP. Sub-Divisional Level teams and Tahsil level teams consisting of Revenue, Mining, Police and other officials shall undertake enforcement activities.
Collectors have also been instructed to undertake survey of new sources of sand, black- stone etc. Each district has been advised to identify new sources equalling to 150% of their current sources. District Survey Reports for these new sources shall be prepared by August and the sources are targeted to be auctioned by October this year. The aim is to increase number of sairat sources, which will not only ease the availability of minor minerals, but also make the prices reasonable apart from checking illegal mining,
