Staff Reporter
Guwahati: The Departmentally Related Standing Committee (DRSC) of the Assam Legislative Assembly for the Mines and Minerals department, in a recent report submitted before the House, recommended the creation of a Mines and Minerals Task Force for restricting illegal mining, transportation and storage of mined minerals.
The DRSC, in its observation and recommendations, said that during the course of a meeting it was observed that the issue of illegal mining/transportation/storage, etc. has not been resolved after repeated discussions in regard to the minerals due to confusion about the departmental scopes for involvement and responsibilities of the Mines and Minerals Department with the Forest & Environment Department.
Accordingly, the DRSC recommended a joint meeting of the Forest & Environment Department with the Mines & Minerals Department for an inclusive decision related to minerals at the earliest.
The Committee recommended the creation of a Mines and Minerals Task Force for restricting illegal mining, transportation and storage of mining minerals in a need-based manner.
Regarding the action taken, the Mines & Minerals Department’s report stated that a proposal for raising a Mines & Minerals Task Force Battalion to cover 10 districts of Assam – Tinsukia, Sivasagar, Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Kamrup (M), Goalpara, Sribhumi, Nagaon, Chirang and Lakhimpur – submitted by the Director of Geology & Mining, Assam, in compliance with a Gauhati High Court order passed in PIL No. 62/2019 for checking illegal mining in leasehold areas, transportation of minerals, etc., was processed and the Finance Department was moved.
Thereafter, a review petition (No. 101/2022) was filed, as minerals found in riverbanks or beds are ‘Y’ schedule minerals as per Assam Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2013, and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Assam, is the competent authority for the administration of all ‘Y’ schedule minerals.
The High Court disposed of the Review Petition with the following direction: (i) the Forest Task Force Battalion be notified through an appropriate notification that it would also perform the duties of protecting the minerals in the river beds; (ii) the appropriate personnel in the Forest Task Force Battalion be identified for being detailed in the duty of protecting the minerals in the river beds, and such personnel, upon being identified, be provided with all necessary training that may be required to make them fit for performing the duties of protecting the minerals in the river beds.
It was also stated by the department further that the matter has been taken up with the Environment & Forest Department for taking necessary action as per the order of the High Court in the review petition. The Mines & Minerals Department is to explore the viability of utilizing the Forest Task Force Battalion in checking illegal mining, storage & transportation, etc. of minerals.
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