24 Mar 2018 | 05:59am IST
Lease holders ordered to keep pumping water for villagers
Collector warns of criminal action against mining lease holders if they fail to release water for drinking and irrigation as was done in the past
PANJIM: The District Magistrate North has warned of criminal action against iron ore mining lease holders who fail to pump water for villagers’ drinking and irrigation purposes.
The District Magistrate on Friday invoked Section 133 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code 1973 and passed a conditional order directing all mining lease holders to continue the release of water for drinking and irrigation requirement downstream, as was being done in the past.
“If they (leaseholder) object to do so, to show within seven days of the date of the order as to why the order should not be made absolute, to appear before the undersigned on April 2 at 11.00am for the same,” the order stated.
“Failure to comply with the above directions attracts criminal action under Section 188 of IPC,” the order added.
Iron ore mining activities in the State have come to standstill since March 16. Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) via an order dated March 16, had directed lease holders to continue pumping water from mining leases for drinking, agriculture and horticulture purpose, while requesting the Water Resources Department not to claim any water cess on such pumping activity.
