ANGUL | Oct 29, 2015: A district-level task force for checking illegal mining has decided to urge the State Government for giving power to police under Section 21 (4) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, for seizure of minerals.

This was decided at a meeting of the task force here on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Collector Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav.

So far, only the police of Keonjhar and Sundargarh district have the power under the Act to seize minerals. Under the current practice in Angul district, police cannot seize coal and their role is limited to conducting raids. In case a seizure needs to be made, police have to inform the Mines Department, which will also initiate the prosecution process.

If the State Government confers the power to police, the latter can seize the mineral and forward the culprits to court.

Speaking on the occasion, Angul Collector asked all officials to conduct raids on a massive scale to stop illegal mining and coal pilferage. Deputy Director of Mines, SN Sahu said in 2014-15, the local unit of Mines Department seized 560 tonnes of coal and 16 tonnes of chromite besides 37 trucks that were used in illegal transportation of coal. In the current financial year till date, mining officials have seized 37 tonnes of coal and 18 trucks.

Among others, Angul SP Rajesh Pandit Uttam Rao, ADM Srinibas Behera, Talcher Sub-Collector Shyam Bhakta Mishra were present.

(Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/)