SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Oct 5: The district administration has for the first time set up a coordination committee of police, CISF and Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) to stop illegal coal mining and illegal transporting.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sandip Singh said that as per the directive of the state government, illegal mining spots in different areas are being marked and legal action would be taken against the people involved in it.
“Zero tolerance on illegal coal mining and providing a fearless environment to mining companies are priorities of the district administration,” he added.
According to the DC, reports that some organisations are putting pressure on outsourcing businesses by impeding mining operations for exploitation, were pouring in. The district administration has asked for a list of organisations that repeatedly obstruct mining outsourcing businesses from all General Managers (GMs) of BCCL. Following receipt of the list, the administration will take legal action against them.
Coal mines have become the centre of the war field. Leaders of national and regional political parties have separate trade unions and for supremacy in colliery, they clash with each other using bombs and bullets almost daily.
“Criminal elements are also involved in such activities. As a result, these actions should be monitored so that outsourced businesses can mine without fear. Following receipt of a list of such individuals, the district government will pursue CCA against them,” the DC said
For stopping coal theft, it has been also decided to install CCTV cameras at each Kanta Ghar (the place where coal-loaded transport is weighed), entry and exit points of coal mines, and transport routes.
The district administration has also directed the BCCL management to provide Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) vehicles in large numbers, fuel for patrolling spotted places of illegal coal mining, coal theft, and illegal transporting.
The DC has further directed the BCCL to pay compensation and jobs to landowners affected by the coal project. He also ordered that no people should assemble in the mines area who obstruct the mining process of the outsourcing company at any cost.
