Ranchi | Aug 21, 2017:
The Government has decided to form State-level task force led by Mining Secretary which will look into matters of illegal mining of minerals and sand in the State. Government spokesperson and Personnel Department Principal Secretary Nidhi Khare said on Sunday that similar task forces would be set up in districts, led by respective Deputy Commissioner (DC) and supported by members like District Mining Officer and Circle Officer, which will conduct raids and inspections at local level.
“The move will bring involvement of local police officials in checking of illegal mining to an end. Such routine activities will now be carried out by District Mining Officer and by district task force for the purpose if needed. District task force members will meet once in a month to look into the matters of illegal mining, availability and other things, while State level task force will sit quarterly for similar purposes,” Khare said.
As far as scarcity of sand in State is concerned, the official said that it was primarily artificial because traders and miners had hoarded it and were keen in exporting to neighbouring States in place of releasing it in local market.
“However, this has largely come to an end and now domestic supply has resumed. At the same time, sand mining activities remained stalled due to rains and order of National Green Tribunal (NGT) which remains in force till October 15,” said Khare where Drinking Water and Sanitation Department Principal Secretary AP Singh was also present to divulge plans of Swachchh Bharat Mission-Gramin.
Singh admitted that construction of toilets under Open Defecation Free (ODF) movement in the State has slowed for some time. “But we are very much in line with the Chief Minister’s vision to make Jharkhand ODF by October 2, 2018. We have seen monthly construction of 80-85 thousand toilets even in rainy season like June and July this year,” said Singh.
He added that 7699 revenue villages, 903 village panchayats and 46 blocks of State had been declared ODF so far. “We have targeted to add anaother 29 another blocks by October 2 this year, taking total number of ODF blocks in State to 75 by then. After Ramgarh and Lohardaga, Kodarma is going to be the third ODF district by September this year,” Singh said.
Khare later added that the Government had decided to grant another Rs 5,000 for those households having Divyang member in family. “We have also decided to set up Hand Washing System in every Government run school before October 2 next year,” she said.
(Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/)