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Vasundhara tells miners to keep off forest land

Special Correspondent

Mining activities have caused huge amount of environmental damage, claims CM

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has asked the mining sector to keep off from the forest land. "Mining activities in forest areas have to stop. The mine owners themselves should point out to the authorities the cases of illegal mining going on in forest areas as illegal mining is impinging on legal mining,'' she said addressing the inaugural function of an international stone conference, "Global stone technology forum," here on Thursday.

"The mining activities have caused huge amount of environmental damage as I myself have witnessed in my former constituency Jhalawar. The entrepreneurs in the mining sector are getting greedier unmindful of the damage they are causing to the people and surroundings," Ms.Raje said making an unusual remark for any politician. "At present mining (industry) has a very unfriendly face. The condition of workers in the mines will have to improve. The employees should consider the health and welfare of their workers," she said.

The two-day conference-cum catalogue show is being jointly organised by Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO), Centre for Development of Stones (CDOS), United Nations Industrial Development Organization-ICMAT and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

"The sector should realize its social obligations in the widest sense. It should participate in large scale awareness drive," Ms.Raje, who recollected her long association with prime mining areas like Dholpur and Jhalawar in the past, said. She announced a new mining policy in the State in another three months, which would take into account a long-term perspective.

Ms.Raje said the Government would be only too happy to cooperate with the industry if it carried out some research into waste management. "Why is it not possible to do some research on slurry? It is important. I have spoken to NEERI. I am sure you can find a use for the slurry," she said.

From the industry's side R.Veeramani, chairman, Granite and other stones panel, CPEXIL, sought from the Government a long term mining policy, reservation of mineral bearing areas and setting up of a mineral up-gradation fund. He also advocated stipulating standards for stones.

Industries Minister Narpat Singh Rajvi, who emphasised on value addition, suggested taxation on green marble and granite blocs to discourage cheap exports.

Admitting that the Government did not take waste disposal very seriously in the past Mr.Rajvi said a dumping yard, which had come up in Kishengarh in the State, was best in the world.

Rajasthan Minister for Mines, Forest and Environment Laxminarain Dave said the State accounted for 95 per cent of the country's marble mining.

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