TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Even as Supreme Court has taken Goa government on the radar over illegal mining, the Union Mines Ministry’s Coordination-cum-Empowered Committee (CEC) has castigated the State for failing to adhere to the guidelines of the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) in submitting the details on illegal mining along with the action taken report.
Further, CEC has stated that there is a need to ‘overhaul and tighten the mining system’, so that regular mining picks up in the interest of overall growth of the national economy as mining ban has had adverse impact on the economy.
CEC on Mineral Development and Regulation chaired by Union Secretary for Mines, at its quarterly meeting on September 10, reviewed the action taken by State government, Central Ministries, departments and IBM over various issues pertaining to mining.
The meeting pointed out that Goa had failed to submit quarterly reports on illegal mining to IBM. CEC said that even after repeated reminders there has been no response from the State.
“The database giving details of the measures undertaken by the States be maintained so that the Ministry could effectively respond in Parliament,” it stated.
Referring to the current mining scenario in the State, Union Mines Secretary emphasized the need for the State Governments to overhaul and tighten their systems.
“All efforts in this direction should be made concurrently by all concerned i.e. the State Governments, the Ministry of Mines and the Central Departments /Ministries concerned so that regular mining picks up in the interest of overall growth of the national economy,” he said.
CEC has also directed State to set up special operation group and deploy police force to deal with the problems of illegal mining. Satellite imagery can also be put in place to check illegal mining.
CEC stated that the problems in the mining sector mainly centered around environmental issues.
The importance of sustainable development in mining sector and the Sustainable Development Framework would help in mining which is environment friendly and scientifically and technologically viable, the Secretary stated.
