The Sarda Mines under the Joda mining circle was issued closure notice by the Department of Mines after the expiry of its environment clearance on March 31.
But it is alleged that the mining company is transporting minerals to an industry in its neighbourhood by conveyor belt, ignoring the Government orders.While the Department of Mines is inquiring into the matter and the company authorities are claiming their ignorance on the illegal dispatch of minerals, labourers working in the company have expressed discontentment over the Government action.
The Sarda Mines has been in news after the Shah Commission detected huge illegal mineral production violating mining plan and environment conservation laws during its field visit to the mines.The mining company which was leased out to Sl Sharda and Ml Sharda was subsequently taken over by Jindal violating Mineral Concession Rule 1960.For this, the Government ordered a probe into the violation of MCR 37 by the company.
The Central Empowerment Committee (CEC) from Delhi had visited the mines on the first week of March to investigate into the allegations made against the company.It came to their notice that Jindal Steel and Power ltd (JSPl) has set up a crushing and screening plant within the leasehold premises of the Sl Sharda and Ml Sharda in their Thakurani-B mineral leasehold without requisite permission from the authorities.
The State Government has also slapped a fine of Rs284 crore on Sharda for excess production beyond permissible limits.Besides, the Forest department has also filed cases against the company.In such circumstances, the renewal of environment clearance permission from the Central Government may be delayed extending the closure period of the Sharda Mines.
