Korea Collector Avinash Champawat conducted surprise raids on several brick kilns around Baikunthpur and ordered actions against those involved in the illegal raising and transportation of coal.
According to a statement issued by the local administration, the Collector also held a meeting of the district-level task force and directed the officials of the revenue, mining and South Eastern Coalfields ltd. (SECl) to intensify crack downs on such illegal activities. Champawat asked the officials of the South Eastern Coalfields ltd to engage its security staffs positively to conduct patrol within 10 km area from their mines at least twice during day or night time in a week.
Emphasising the need for filling up the old abandoned used mines, he said leaving such mine unfilled increases the scope of illegal mining. He asked the officials to send concrete proposals to their authorities and ensure that such mines are filled up. Senior SECl official who attended the meeting of the task force said production at the Chirmiri mine of the company which has been halted will start production in coming days.
The Collector directed SECl authorities to carry out fencing work in the mining area and ensure that the patrolling was being carried on a regular basis. He also asked them to send monthly action report to the district administration. Champawat also directed the local officials to take actions against coal theft during loading and unloading. He also said necessary steps should be taken to prevent mining related mishaps.