Gujarat sets up special task force to check illegal mining

22-01-2011
Gujarat sets up special task force to check illegal mining
msn.news
http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4827353

The Gujarat government has informed the High court that it has formed a special task force (STF) and grievance redressal committees at state and district levels to check illegal mining.

Information regarding this was placed in form of an affidavit before the division bench of Chief Justice S J Mukhopadhaya and Justice Akil Kureshi, while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) against illegal mining in Gir forest region. The PIL was filed by RTI activist Amit Jethva a few days before he was shot dead.

The court in its order of December 21 had directed the Principal Secretary, Mines and Minerals Department, to remain present and had also ordered government to file an action taken report (ATR) with regard to the implementation of Gujarat Mineral (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2005.

Following the order, Principal Secretary Maheshwar Sahu remained present before the court and the government also filed an affidavit along with ATR.

According to the affidavit, government has formed a special task force and grievance redressal committee at state and district levels through a notification dated January 17.

The government further said it will hold police personnel, revenue staff and officers of Geology and Mining department of the concerned area accountable and liable for negligence, if there was detection of illegal mining activities in their area. .