Orissa HC directs Govt to curb plunder of natural resources in mineral-rich districts

The Orissa High Court has directed the police and transport authorities of two mineral-rich districts to act tough on illegal mining activities, stating that “the minerals are the natural resources and assets of the Government to be utilised in a responsible manner so as to provide all the sustainable support to the citizens of the country”.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M S Raman taking cognisance of a public interest litigation on the alleged plunder of mineral resources in Mayurbhanj and Balasore district said, “We feel that each day of permitting such illegal mining to continue causes a loss to the national assets”.

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The Bench directed the Superintendent of Police of Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts to depute an adequate number of police personnel across the locations and initiate immediate steps for verification of the relevant documents granted by the Competent Authority to ascertain the illegal extraction of mineral resources.

The Court also directed the Regional Transport Offices of both the districts ”to constitute a team of adequate personnel to intercept each vehicle passing through the road, carrying the minerals/ores and in the event the requisite documents as required under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and the Rules framed thereunder are not found or being carried, immediate seizure should be ensured, and the persons should also be taken into the rigours of law”.

The Division Bench asked the Government to file an affidavit on measures taken to curb the illegal mining and posted the matter for further hearing on 10 March next.

Not only is indiscriminate blasting done at the mining site by those mining mafias, but the complacency on the part of the administration is also patent in that no action or steps have been taken against those mafias, the PIL alleged.

Despite the Supreme Court showing deep concern over the mining scandal of enormous proportions involving megabucks, the reality is a far cry.

There is no monitoring or surveillance mechanism adopted by the administration, which led those illegal mining activities to continue seamlessly, and, therefore, it is high time that the government or its instrumentalities be reminded of its solemn duty, the petition further alleged.