BHUBANESWAR: Despite repeated requests from the Government, the port authorities of Haldia and Vizag are not sharing information on export of ore. The State Government which has cracked the whip on illegal mining and smuggling of the ore has decided to take up the matter with the Cabinet Secretary. Chief Secretary BK Patnaik will write to the Cabinet Secretary seeking an instruction from the latter to the two ports. In fact, the Directorate of Mines receives information from Paradip Port Trust on export of ore on a regular basis since such sharing of information comes in handy to track illegal ore smuggling. However, neither Haldia nor Vizag Port has paid any heed to the State Government’s request for information on ore being exported from the State through these points. The Chief Secretary will write to the Cabinet Secretary seeking a direction to both the port and Custom authorities to share information with Directorate of Mines for verification and a system for assessing iron ore received at the two ports. During April-May, the district-level task forces detected at least 92 cases of illegal mining activities and seized 10 vehicles. A sum of Rs.1.6 crore was realised by the task forces towards cost of the minerals and penalty. The State Level Enforcement Squad, which functions under the Director of Mines, has detected 59 cases of illegal mines between April and July during which Rs.9.62 crore was realised towards cost of minerals and fine.
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