No plan to extend lease of 231 mines in Jharkhand: Minister

Illegal mining issue brings Oppn, Independents on one pitch against government

Ranchi, March 22: Saryu Roy raised the issue of illegal mining in the state during the budget session of the assembly which brought Ajsu and BJP joining hands against government. 

Questions were raised by the former minister and Jamshedpur (East) MLA Saryu Roy who sought to know the status of 231 mining leases across Jharkhand. In another question, he wanted to know the ground on which the ‘consent to operate’ was withdrawn to 69 stone crusher units in Sahebganj district. But the consent was again granted to 23 units.

Roy said that the government had extended the lease period of 231 mines instead of auctioning them. “But even after the extension period expired on March 21 no process has been started. The government has incurred a loss of Rs 300 Crore. I want to know who is responsible for this,” he said.

Agriculture minister Badal Patralekh replied on the behalf of the government. He said that the tender for 45 mines has been published whereas the tendering process of 150 mines is underway.

“About the rest of 36 mines, documents are being examined. The government has no intention to extend the lease period further,” the minister said.

Badal justified the decision of the government to extend the lease period instead of going for the fresh auction and said that because of the extraordinary situation due to Covid 19 pandemic and restrictions therein the government could do the needful.

But he was caught on the wrong foot by Saryu Roy who reminded the minister that during pandemics and lockdown there was no restriction on mining activities. He said that during pandemics special instruction was given to the transport department to ensure that mining and transportation are not affected.

“I want to know who decided that there will be no auction during the Covid period. The government extended the mining lease after it expired. It means that the lessee was not bound to pay 30 percent premium tax on the mining. The government has suffered a loss of Rs 300 Crore,” Saryu Roy said.

Saryu Roy later also raised issue of 69 stone crusher units whose consent to operate was withdrawn and the same was restored in the case of 23 out of 69. The government claimed that it was done on the basis of the order of the National Green Tribunal. Minister Champai Soren claimed that the due process of the law was followed. A committee of the State Pollution Control Board examined and verified the entire matter before taking the decision.

Saryu Roy demanded a copy of the report if any committee had examined and verified each case. He sought to know why the closure drive of stone mining was done in Sahebganj and not other districts. He asked what improvement these 23 units made so that consent to operate was restored. He contradicted the minister stating that due process was followed.

“I challenge your reply. Officials are misleading you. What you are saying is not the correct answer,” Saryu Roy said.  However, the assembly speaker Rabindra Nath Mahto passed the ruling and said that Saryu Roy can meet the minister along with officials if he has doubts.

“What purpose is this meeting going to meet? He (Champai Soren) is the in-charge minister of the department,” he said. Ajsu party MLA Sudesh Mahto intervened in the debate and said that Saryu Roy has the right to challenge the reply and the House should send a committee for spot verification.

With this BJP MLAs rushed into the well of the House and started shouting slogans against the government forcing the speaker to adjourn proceedings of the House for some time.

BJP MLA Bhanu Pratap Shahi raised the issue of two dozen villages being submerged due to the Sone River erosion. Bhanu Pratap said that he has raised this issue several times in the House.

“Since 2000, nearly eight villages have been submerged in the Sone river. If the government does not have the funds, then make an inquiry committee headed by the Chief Engineer and prepare a report and send it to the Center and demand the amount,” he demanded.

On this, the minister in charge Mithlesh Thakur said that the anti-erosion committee is investigating. After the investigation, the damage assessment will be done, then embankments will be built at the possible places.