New Delhi, July 20: Government today said illegal coal mining in certain areas of Jharkhand and West Bengal was taking place due to extreme poverty prevailing there. “Pilferage of coal and illegal coal mining is taking place in certain areas of Jharkhand and West Bengal due to extreme poverty prevailing there,” Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal said during Question Hour in Rajya Sabha.
He said that to curb illegal mining, task forces have been constituted by the two state governments. When Jaiswal said coal pilferage has become a business in those areas due to poverty and illiteracy, several members objected strongly.
Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) and some members belonging to BSP and BJP accused the minister of showing disrespect to the poor. Balbir Punj (BJP) sought Jaiswal”s apology.
Amid noisy scenes, the minister said the state governments have not taken proper action to stop illegal coal mining. Jaiswal said his ministry has conducted several studies on illegal mining and informed the House that a coordination committee with states is being set up to curb such activities.
“We are taking steps to stop pilferage of coal and illegal coal mining,” Jaiswal said. The admitted that illegal mining was taking place in connivance with officials.
—PTI–