Keonjhar: Complying with the Supreme Court order, the state government has ordered closure of three mines in Keonjhar district January 1, 2018, for their failure to deposit penalty by December 31, 2017.
Surprisingly, the operative mines of Serajuddin, IDC and Mesco have not vacated the mining lease areas even though four days have passed since the closure notice was served on them.
Some non-operational mines and the mines which have not paid penalty had been asked to stop mining activities, but they have not vacated their lease areas, it was learnt.
Machines, vehicles and other equipment have not been taken away from the lease areas. Huge amount of excavated minerals are in stock in the lease areas while security is lax.
The lax security has created the possibility of minerals being stolen. Locals alleged that official work of the mining companies in the areas is still going on, in violation of the order.
Experts observed that the apex court order be executed in true spirit and the mining companies vacate the lease areas.
Locals alleged that the mining companies had been allowed to mine minerals even though their illegalities were detected. Some of the operational mines had engaged machines instead of manual labour, ignoring the problems of workers, they pointed out.
As a result, the mineral-rich district has been neglected and so also its people. Locals alleged that the mining companies which were given leases for running their industrial units, had exported minerals and raked in the moolah.
They intentionally made their units sick and exported minerals, but no action was taken against them, locals added.
Over 20 sponge iron plants have remained closed for shortage of raw materials while lakhs of people have been leading miserable lives after losing land and livelihood.
Deputy director of Joda mining circle, Sushant Kumar Nayak said these mining companies have been asked to close the mines and vacate the lease areas. “If they fail to take away their machines and vehicles, they will be seized,” he added. PNN
