ANGUL | Feb 06, 2017: Lack of punitive measures by the State Government against coal smugglers has led to massive theft of coal from Talcher coalfield. About 20 trucks of stolen coal have been seized by the police so far while the Steel and Mining department has seized four trucks.

Five days ago, Kaniha police seized three trucks, two mini trucks and one Tata Sumo and recovered 50 tonnes of coal stolen from Kaniha mine. Similarly, eight to 10 trucks carrying coal from Talcher to Cuttack were seized by Dhenkanal police recently. Dhenkanal SP Basant Kumar Panigrahi had formed a special squad to check rampant theft of coal.

Sources said several tonnes of stolen coal are being transported to Sambalpur and Cuttack by the miscreants. Adding to the problem, the mining circle office of the State Government at Talcher having jurisdiction over the two districts runs without a Deputy Director. After Deputy Director of Mines (DDM) S N Sahu was promoted and posted at Bhubaneswar, there has been no full time DDM at Talcher while a mining officer is in-charge of the office.

In order to curb the menace of coal theft in Talcher coalfield, a decision was taken by the police and mining officials that all seized trucks will be forwarded to the DDM, who will impose penalty and may go for confiscation of the vehicle as per the law. This arrangement worked well for some years with collection of high revenue, a police official said. But later, the practice was discontinued. Police blamed the Mining department for refusing to take on such cases while the mining officials said police, instead of handing over the case to them, forwarded it to the court.

Angul SP Kavita Jalan said, “We are keeping a close watch on the menace of coal theft. Directions have been issued to all officials to implement it strictly.” She urged the mining officials to take proactive steps in this regard.

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