JAIPUR | Oct 05, 2015: Mining clearances given by bureaucrats, who allegedly took advantage of the model code of conduct that was in force during the 2013 assembly elections, have come under the Rajasthan Lokayukta's scrutiny.

Taking suo motu cognisance of such clearances given to miners close to the periphery of Jamwa Ramgarh wildlife sanctuary and the Sariska tiger reserve in Alwar district, Lokayukta Sajjan Singh Kothari has sought reports from the state chief secretary, additional chief secretary of forest and environment department and principal secretary of the mines department.

The Supreme Court empowered committee's intervention had resulted in mining being banned within 1km of the protected forest areas. In the meetings presided by the then chief secretary on November 11, 2013 and December 4, 2013, however, it was decided to issue no-objection certificates for mining beyond 100 meters from the Jamwa Ramgarh sanctuary and the Sariska tiger reserve. The then secretary of mines and environment department was also present in the meetings.

As the 2013 assembly elections had been declared in October, the model code of conduct was in force when the meetings were held and, so, no political approval was sought to amend the rule and grant NOCs. Further, the dispute over reducing the buffer zone was pending before the Supreme Court when the meetings were held.

The Lokayukta has prima facie found the decisions taken on November 11, 2013 and December 4, 2013 to be arbitrary and has sought report from the chief secretary and others by November 10.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com)