Jamshedpur : Unlawful sand mining has become active along the course of the Kharkai and Subarnarekha rivers Unabated excavation of sand, most of it illegal, to meet the requirements of the booming construction industry in Jamshedpur has put the officials of the Department of Mines and Geology on their toes.
Due to regular sand lifting at the place, it is causing danger even to the rivers as thousands of tonnes of sand are being lifted everyday. The authorities concerned are at all concerned over the issue, regret local people. Moreover, depletion of water tables has rendered borewells useless in the area, says villagers.
They also alleged that officials concerned themselves are involved in illegal sand lifting to make some quick money. The government should take stern action against the erring officials and curb sand mining at the earliest, demand officials.
Hari Tuddu, president of Seraikela unit of the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Mahasabha, the protesters had informed the RIT police about the illegal lifting from the river ghaat, but despite the information the police had not swung into action, leading the protesters to keep guarding on the seized truck the whole night.
According to sources, over one hundred people belonging to the tribal community, including women had participated in seizing the sand-laden trucks at Kharkai river’s Kuluptanga ghaat since midnight.
As the agitated people proceeded to seize the truck, the truck drivers had left the spot leaving ignition keys in the respective vehicles.
Meanwhile, the deputy commissioners of the three districts of East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Seraikela Kharsawan were directed to complete auction of the sand ghats within three days.
State mines and geology department secretary Arun held a review meeting on illegal mining and sand mining at conference hall of Chaibasa headquarter of Kolhan division in the presence of deputy commissioners of the three districts, said that auctioning of sand mining will have to be completed in three days.
“ We want to stop the illegal activities. 80 percent of the proceedings from auction of sand mines will go to gram panchayat while 20 per cent will go to state government.
The auctioning will be held under the gram panchayat board and interested bidders will have to get environment clearance before starting mining at the river ghats,” said Arun.
The mines secretary also announced that lease renewals of all non-captive mines will be extended till 2020 while captive mines will have their lease renewed till 2030.
“The leases period will be extended for non-captive and captive mines subject to the lease concessionaire complying to the terms and conditions.
There will be vigilance at three level of mining—mining extraction, transporting and stocking of the minerals and flying squads headed by rank of deputy director mines can act on tip-off and raid illegal mining at any of the three level without seeking permission from deputy commissioners and SPs,” said the mines secretary.