The Society of Geoscientists and Allied Technologists (SGAT), at a Press meet here on Friday, expressed its view that there should be no ban whatsoever on mining activity in the country as it would stifle the growth of minerals-based industries and adversely impact the economic growth.
The major part of a 15-page note of the SGAT dealt extensively with its views on the Shah Commission report. The note appeared to establish the superfluous nature of the report by pointing out in case after case that the recommendations of the commission are already being met by the State government through actions instituted before the report was released.
In many cases, the note pointed out that the commission’s recommendations are not feasible at all. The recommendations concerning the creation of elephant corridors, withdrawal of authorisation given to the IBM officials for approval of modification of mining plans and sale of iron ore through e-auctions were also cited as either superfluous or unfeasible or outright wrong interpretations of situation.
The note also mentioned the coal block allocation / deallocation, bauxite mining issues and e-auction route for sell of minerals. It pointed out that blame for deallocation due to non-development of coal blocks cannot be laid at the door of the lessees because they were not given statutory approvals in time.
It also emphatically stated that the allocation of coal blocks by the Government of India is infringement of the rights of the State enshrined in the MMDR act. Similarly, proposal for sale by e-auction was also against the MMDR act. The note
mentioned that it may be against the fundamental rights under Article 19 of the Constitution.
Interestingly, the note suggested that the approval of Gram Sabha not be made mandatory as it only duplicates the same process through which environment clearance is also obtained. SGAT president SK Sarangi, general secretary BC Patnaik and advisor BK Mohanty were present at the meeting, among others.