RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Feb.10: The issue of illegal mining in Jharkhand was raised in Rajya Sabha today after repeated incidents of roof collapse of abandoned mines and killing of several workers.
BJP state president and Rajya Sabha member Deepak Prakash raised the issue during zero hour demanding constitution of a special investigation team to put a check on this.
Prakash said more than 10 people have died after the roof of abandoned mines in Nirsa Colliery caved in during illegal mining.
Prakash before demanding the constitution of an SIT made the House aware that the mines where the illegal mining is on belong to Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) and Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).
Prakash while speaking during zero hour informed that the Jharkhand government and West Bengal are responsible for illegal mining and FIRs are not registered when CISF catches someone involved in illegal mining. He said there is an illicit relationship between the Jharkhand and West Bengal government due to which cases of illegal mining are found in bordering areas of two states.
When Prakash raised the issue, Deputy Chairman Harivansh, who had earlier worked as an editor in a local vernacular from Jharkhand, was in the chair.
