By IANS,
New Delhi : The union government has asked the states to stop illegal mining by regulating transportation of mined ore and ensuring proper accounting of minerals, a statement of the mines ministry said Friday.
Suggestions to curb illegal mining were given to the state governments during a recent meeting between the ministry and state government secretaries.
The state governments were asked to form coordination-cum-empowered committees and include representatives from the railways, customs and ports for regulating transportation of mined ore at exit points, said the statement.
The ministry said it was agreed in the meeting that for proper accounting of minerals, it is essential that transporters, traders and storage agents dealing with minerals and ores are registered.
Accordingly, the ministry is working on modifying the relevant law – Rule 45 of Mineral Conservation and Development Rule (MCDR), 1988 – to implement these measures.
The ministry also told the states that comprehensive instructions were being issued to “ensure that modifications of mining plans are not permitted to regularise illegal mining and sharp increase in production attracts regular inspections”.
The meeting also discussed the ban imposed by the Karnataka government on issuing transport permits for trade in iron ore. “Since the matter is sub-judice, the ministry is awaiting the final decision of the Karnataka High Court,” the statement said.
Other state governments said they need not ban issuance of transport permit and strengthening the regulatory system was sufficient to curb illegal mining.