SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Jan. 20: Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais today expressed concern over the illegal mining incidents and said that it must be stopped in the interest of national property.
The Governor, who was addressing the national centenary seminar of Indian Mines Managers Association (IMMA) at the Koyla Nagar Community Hall, said the way miners are working in open cast as well as underground mines, it is a risky job.
The seminar was organized on the occasion 100 years of the IMMA and 50 years of Bharat Coking Coal Limited. On the occasion, the Governor felicitated several mines managers for their outstanding services in mining.
The Governor said that he becomes upset to read reports of illegal mining. He asked the district administration to help the coal company in checking illegal mining. He also advised the coal officers to do their duty honestly and with responsibility so that it does not look like illegal mining is being done in their collaboration.
He said the illegal mining is not today’s affair albeit it has been done for a long time and known faces are involved.
“ Coal is national heritage and no individual has personal rights over it. This heritage comes for the development of the nation. If you are able to check illegal mining it would be considered ‘Rashtra Dharm’ ( national religion) “ said Bais.
The Governor said that he got an opportunity to work as union coal minister under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and assessed mines in different places, he feels there is a lot of work to do for safety in the mining area. “ It is risky and we have to ensure safety in it,” he said.
The Governor said that the mining industry has a major contribution in Jharkhand’s economy. Dhanbad is called the coal capital of the country. There is a need for improvement in production and regular use of advanced techniques and tools, he added.
He said coal companies must pay attention on priority basis over protecting the environment that is being polluted due to mining and felling of trees.
BCCL Chairman cum Managing Director Samiran Dutta, Dhanbad MP PN Singh , senior leader Ragni Singh were also present on the occasion.
