SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Feb 7: After 17 days of the Governor’s advice, the Dhanbad district administration finally swung into action to check illegal mining, transporting and storing of coal.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sandip Singh called a meeting of the district level ‘Mining Task Force’ and directed all the circle officers, police station officers in charge, and senior officers of the coal companies to review monthly illegal mining jointly and lodge FIR against the person involved in it.
The DC, who is chairman of the Mining Task Force, has also directed them to fill up illegal mining entrance spots with concrete and make full security arrangements at the colliery entrance gate with immediate effect so that no unauthorized person enters it at any place.
The Dhanbad district administration has initiated steps in the wake of Governor Ramesh Bais’ advice.
The governor, on January 20 while addressing the national centenary seminar of the Indian Mines Managers Association (IMMA) at Koylanagar Dhanbad, had expressed concern over illegal coal mining in the district and advised the district administration to help the coal company in checking it as coal is national property.
The frequent illegal coal mining-related tragedy has rocked the state as well as the country.
The DC also directed the officers to issue identity cards to its employees, provide dress to security guards and ban entry of unauthorised persons in the coal mines area. The Task Force also decided to take action against Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) quarters encroachers under PP Act.
Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Sanjiv Kumar asked BCCL, Eastern Coalfield Limited (ECL) officers to lodge FIR against people involved in illegal mining without fear. He also asked officers of police stations to identify members of the syndicate involved in making fake coal transport permits.
