Indian Kanoon - Search engine for Indian Law

Lok Sabha Debates

Discussion Regarding Illegal Mining In Various States (Discussion Not ... on 17 August, 2010

> Title: Discussion regarding illegal mining in various States (Discussion not concluded).

MR. CHAIRMAN: Hon. Members, this House will now take up the Short Duration Discussion under Rule 193 on illegal mining in various States.  I may inform the Members that petitions pertaining to illegal mining in certain States are pending in the Supreme Court.  As per established practice, any matter which is under adjudication by a court of law is generally not discussed on the floor of the House. Hon. Speaker has allowed the discussion on the matter in view of the seriousness of the matter. I would like to urge upon the House to ensure that nothing is said during the debate which may prejudice the course of justice in any manner.

          I would also urge upon the hon. Members to discuss the matter in an orderly and peaceful manner and keep the standard of the debate high.

 

SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA (BANKURA):  Mr. Chairman, Sir we have been demanding for a discussion under Rule 193 not only on the illegal mining in the past, but also the problem that we faced in regard to the National Mineral Policy.  In 2008, the Government of India had announced the National Mineral Policy and before that we had the National Mineral Policy, 1993, after when in 1991, the Government of India adopted the policy of economic liberalization.

The opening up of iron-ore mines, particularly the illegal mining is a real problem in our country involving crores and crores of money. When the New Mineral Policy was announced by the Government of India, when in 1996 the FDI to the extent of 50 per cent was allowed and subsequently in 2006, the FDI to the extent of 100 per cent was allowed, then, many multi-national companies and private companies started mining spread over five or six States where there is an abundant deposit of iron-ore. The export of iron-ore was also started. In the year 2003-04, it was only 12 million tonnes. It increased in the year 2009-10. From 12 million tonnes, it increased to 128 million tonnes. In the year 2009-10, the total production of iron-ore in our country was 217 million tonnes. Out of the 217 million  tonnes, a quantity of 128 million tonnes was exported from our country. The internal consumption for our steel plants, sponge-iron plants and the mini steel plants was only 85 million tonnes.

Why has export increased to such an extent? It is because there was a demand from China. China started importing the iron-ore from our country. In the past, we have seen that Japan used to import iron-ore. They constructed the railway line. The KK Line was constructed by the Japanese only to take iron-ore from Bailadila to their country, Japan. We have 23 billion tonnes of deposit of iron-ore. The finest iron-ore is available in our country, that too in the State of Karnataka and that too in the Bellary area. We have 23 billion tonnes of iron-ore in our country whereas China has 46 billion tonnes, double than what we have in our country. In spite of that, China is importing the iron-ore from our country and keeping its deposits in tact. It is not utilising or exploiting its own deposits.

Why has export increased? Today, you will be surprised to know that the per-tonne production cost in our country is Rs.350 plus the transportation cost. What is the international price? At what price is China buying the iron-ore from our country?

          China is paying more than Rs. 6,000 per tonne. You can see the difference between the production cost in our country and the international price of iron ore. About 60 per cent of iron ore is being exported to China and Japan. These are the two countries which imports majority of iron ore from our country and about 60 per cent of it is from illegal mining. You cannot differentiate between legal mining and illegal mining. The leave was granted with approval from the Central Government and so the Central Government cannot shirk its responsibility by saying that they do not know anything about illegal mining.

          Sir, illegal mining is going on in our country for more than two decades and it is increasing enormously every year. The Central Government cannot shirk its responsibility because the approval is given by the Central Government. All the rules and regulations are being violated blatantly by the lease holder. Our environment is damaged, ecology is damaged, wildlife is endangered, the Forest Rights Act is being violated and more than one lakh hectare of forest land has been diverted for mining purposes. Shri Jairam Ramesh was sitting here a little while ago, but he has left now. The Forest Conservation Act has been relaxed to allow the plunder and loot of this scarce commodity.

          Sir, I remember in 1986, when Shri Vasant Sathe was the Steel Minister, I asked a question as to how much of iron ore we are exporting, how much we are earning out of it and how much we are spending for import of steel. The expenditure incurred by us for import of steel is more than double the amount that we earn out of exporting iron ore. So, why can we not utilise our iron ore which is the finest in the world, with 75 per cent magnetite content, that is available in Bellary area of Karnataka. Why can we not utilise that?

          Our projection of steel production at the end of the 11th Five-year Plan is 117 million tonnes. What are we producing today? It is not more than 65 million tonnes of steel. It is the lowest whereas China is producing more than 500 million tonnes of steel. With the way it is being exported, I am afraid whether we will be able to achieve the target of 117 million tonnes or even 100 million tonnes of steel at the end of the 11th Plan. Today we are producing only 65 million tonnes. India is a very big country with a population of 115 crores. … (Interruptions) It is a matter of fact. I am stating the facts. Don’t divert me. … (Interruptions) All are our friends.

          Sir, you will be surprised to know the cases of illegal mining in different States.  It is not only confined to Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh but it is spread over five-six States like Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Orissa.… (Interruptions) 

MR. CHAIRMAN : Hon. Member, please address the Chair.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA (BANKURA): In Jharkhand, you have seen how a former Chief Minister could earn more than Rs. 4000 crore within 22 months. He was the Chief Minister for 22 months.  You know it better.  Why do you want that I should mention the name of the former Chief Minister? 

          Illegal mining is there in Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand and Orissa. Jharkhand is my neighbouring State and my district was once a part of Bihar.  You see, Purulia was a part of Bihar.  There were 3178 illegal mining cases in Rajasthan, 8370 in Maharashtra, 7570 in Andhra Pradesh, 1687 in Karnataka – it is less Anant Kumar ji – and 1068 cases in Chhattisgarh against whom no action has been taken. … (Interruptions)  In Orissa, 60 per cent of the mines are illegal mines.  That was inquired by a Committee, CEC, which was constituted by the Supreme Court, and they identified that at least 60 per cent of iron ore and coal-mines are illegal.  So the problem is also enormous in the State of Orissa.

          The problem is this.  How is this money being utilised?  The money involved in illegal mining is thousand and thousand crores of rupees.  The royalty received by the Government is pittance. According to a report, the royalty should not be less than Rs. 8000 crore but the Government received a pittance. This money is utilised in the elections to get the candidates elected in the State Assembly.  It was done in the last State Assembly elections in the State of Karnataka and in Andhra Pradesh also.  Once I demanded that this House should discuss seriously about electoral reforms.  We never discussed how money power is playing the role.  It will be very difficult for the common man, for the middle class, for the poor to contest election, if in an Assembly election Rs. 40 crore or Rs. 45 crore is spent.  In the State of Tamil Nadu, Rs. 40 crore was spent in a by-election in the Assembly election. I remember, when I contested for the first time in 1971 for Assembly elections, I spent only a few thousands of rupees.  Now, crores and crores of rupees are spent.

          Last year I suggested and I tabled an amendment on the Finance Bill that ‘let a corpus fund be created; the funding by the companies to the political parties should be banned; and they should contribute to the corpus fund. There should be a State Funding of elections.  If the State Funding of election is introduced, then the influence of money power and the role of the money coming out of the illegal mining and other sources can also be curbed’… (Interruptions) You do not understand.

SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY (KOLKATA UTTAR): He is originally from Tamil Nadu… (Interruptions)

SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA :  I am an Indian… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record except the speech of Shri Basu Deb Acharia.

(Interruptions) …* MR. CHAIRMAN: He represents Bengal, now.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Hon. Member, please continue your speech.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA :  Sir, now, I come to the State of Karnataka. We have seen in our country how a State Government was destabilized because of this illegal mining. Mr. Devegowda will be able to tell us. When there was a JD(S) and BJP combine Government in Karnataka in 2007, the Lokayukta was appointed to inquire into all aspects of illegal mining in the State of Karnataka.  The Lokayukta had identified, at least, 60 such  illegal mines in the State of Karnataka. Similarly, CCF had identified a number of illegal mines in the State of Orissa. There are some illegal mines, which are continuing for the last 15 to 20 years.   Even after their lease period is expired, the lease is not cancelled and the illegal mines are continuing without any lease… (Interruptions)

          Sir, there are five ports through which the illegal iron ore is being exported. I do not know what the Shipping Ministry is doing, whether they are facilitating the export of iron ore. They have other works to look after and not to see how to stop the export of illegal iron ore! Without paying any royalty, the iron ore is being exported.

        What is the condition of workers in these mines?  How much do they get?  It is not more than Rs. 100.  No labour laws are being followed in these illegal mines.  Labourers are being exploited.

          What happened in Belakari Port in Karnataka?… (Interruptions) Is it in Karnataka, Ananth Kumarji?… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Basu Deb Acharia, please address the chair.

SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA :  Sir, 35 lakh tonnes of iron ore was seized. It was reported to the Lokayukta.

          The Conservator of Forests seized 35 lakh metric tonnes of iron ore. Just imagine what should be the price, the value of that iron ore. Mr. Handique is my good friend. He knows it. It vanished. Sir, 35 lakh metric tonnes of iron ore was to be transported, to be exported and that was seized, and the entire quantity of 35 lakh metric tonnes of iron ore had come from illegal mining.

          There is a company, Obulapuram Mining Company. It is in the State of Andhra Pradesh. Politics has strange bed fellows. This company is getting help and assistance and is being promoted by the Karnataka Government as well as Andhra Pradesh Government. After the former Chief Minister YSR, after him only, the CBI inquiry was instituted or ordered by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. So, both the Andhra Pradesh Government and the Karnataka Government are aiding and helping this company.

          How meteoric rise this company has achieved; starting from zero, how much wealth, property, money it has amassed! It is millions and millions and thousands and thousands of crores. How could they amass so much money? Was the Central Government not aware of this? Till date it was sleeping. Suddenly, it woke up and felt that a new law should be there to replace the earlier one, the 1950 regulatory law. They never thought that there should be a strict regulatory law to be enforced when the mining sector was opened before the multinational and private companies in 2006 and in 1993 when the new Mineral Policy was announced and adopted by this Government. They did not feel the necessity at that time.

          They were allowed to loot and plunder the wealth of this country. They amassed huge wealth. Why was the Central Government sleeping? I have seen today in the newspaper that the Prime Minister has constituted an Inquiry Commission and the Chairman of that Commission would be a retired judge, not a Minister but a retired judge. This has come after so many years, after two decades, after allowing these people to loot and plunder the wealth of the nation. This wealth belongs to the people of our country. Why the Government of India remained silent? Why is the CBI inquiry now? I do not know why the Government of Karnataka is objecting to allow the CBI to inquire into all these aspects.

   

17.00 hrs.           Why are they objecting to this? I have seen the Chief Minister of Karnataka being helpless; I have seen tears in his eyes. He was so helpless and he was with tears in his eyes. The whole nation has seen such a helpless Chief Minister. The Party is also helpless. The two brothers – I should not mention the names – have the blessings of – whom should I say? There was a contest in the General Election which was called a ‘contest of Bahu and Beti in Bellary’ and the ‘Bahu’ was elected and the ‘Beti’ was defeated. 

          We have been demanding that the CBI should enquire into the entire gamut of this corruption. This is a humongous corruption since Independence, even more than the 2G spectrum corruption scam.  Every year thousands and thousands of crores of rupees are being drained. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN : Hon. Member, please conclude.

SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA: We have seen so many cases of corruption and scam in this country. But a corruption like this illegal mining is nowhere near them. There is a need to curb this illegal mining, these illegal activities which corrupt the system and destabilize our parliamentary system also. There is a need for nationalization of these iron ore mines. If Shrimati Indira Gandhi could nationalize the coal mines in 1972, what is the difficulty that you are stating Mr. Handique that it is not possible to nationalize the iron ore mines?

MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude. You have made your point.

SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Mr. Minister, unless you nationalize these mines, you will not be able to curb the illegal mining, you will not be able to control these people. So, there is a need for nationalization of the entire iron ore mining sector. The CBI should enquire into such a humongous corruption and crime that has been perpetuated in the iron ore mining sector.

   

SHRI BHAKTA CHARAN DAS (KALAHANDI): Mr. Chairman, Sir, this illegal mining is a very important matter.  किन राज्यों में है, अगर  आप देखेंगे तो पाएंगे कि देश के जो अविकसित एरियाज हैं, पिछड़े क्षेत्र हैं, उनमें ज्यादातर गैर-कानूनी खनन हो रही है।

   17.04 hrs. (Dr. M. Thambidurai in the Chair)             झारखंड, छत्तीसगढ़ और उड़ीसा में विकास के नाम पर हम लोगों ने देसी और विदेशी कंपनियों को रेड-कारपेट बिछाकर गैर-कानून खनन की छूट दे रखी है। देश में जो 150 पिछड़े जिले हैं, उनमें सबसे ज्यादा जिले इन्हीं राज्यों में हैं। झारखंड में 86 प्रतिशत जिले बहुत पिछड़े हैं और छत्तीसगढ़ में 94 प्रतिशत जिले पिछड़े हैं, उड़ीसा में 90 प्रतिशत जिले पिछड़े हैं। खनन से जो आय प्राप्त हो रही है उसको भी आप देखेंगे तो पायेंगे कि केवल 5-6 प्रतिशत रोजगार, उड़ीसा में, इस खनन से, राज्य सरकार कर पा रही है।

छत्तीसगढ़ में मात्र 10% है। झारखंड मात्र 13%  और कर्नाटक मात्र 7 से 8% है। इन राज्यों की आप हालत देखेंगे, तो आपको पता चलेगा कि कितनी बुरी हालत में लोग हैं। लोगों की न्यूनतम आवश्यकताएं, चाहे पेयजल की आवश्यकता हो, बिजली की व्यवस्था हो, फूड सिक्योरिटी की व्यवस्था हो, आज बहुत भयानक स्थिति है। जब हमारी खनन से आमदनी ही बहुत कम है, तो हम क्यों खनन कर रहे हैं? केवल कुछ लोगों को, कुछ कम्पनियों को पैसा बनाने के लिए, पूंजीपतियों को और पूंजी कमाने के लिए, उनके फायदे के लिए ऐसा कर रहे हैं? जितने लोग गैर कानूनी खनन में लिप्त हैं, उनके साथ राज्य व्यवस्था को जोड़ कर पूरे राज्य का शोषण करके लोगों को पिछड़ेपन की तरफ धकेला जा रहा है।

          छत्तीसगढ़ इलाका देश का पिछड़ा इलाका है। जब यह राज्य बना, तो लोगों में बहुत उम्मीद थी कि यहां का विकास होगा। आप देखेंगे कि यहां 40.5 प्रतिशत लोग गरीबी रेखा से नीचे हैं। यहां जो कोरबा बैल्ट है, वहां 40% लोग ऐसे हैं, जिन्हें पीने का पानी नहीं मिलता है और जहां शिशु मृत्यु दर भयानक है। छत्तीसगढ़ में सरगुजा क्षेत्र में 30% ऐसे लोग हैं, जहां लोगों को पीने का पानी और बिजली की व्यवस्था प्राप्त है। छत्तीसगढ़ में काफी बाक्साइट मिलता है। एक स्ट्रलाइट कम्पनी है, जिसने बाक्साइट की कई खानें ली हैं, लेकिन छत्तीसगढ़ में अपनी जो फैक्टरी है, उसे विनियोग नहीं करके, मेरे यहां जो फैक्टरी है, वहां रोज एक हजार से ज्यादा ट्रक और कम से कम चार से पांच रैक वहां से जा रहा है। यह पूर्ण रूप से गैरकानूनी जा रहा है, इसमें कोई रेवेन्यु राज्य सरकार को नहीं मिल रहा है। राज्यों के लोग, संसद सदस्यों ने भी इस बात को उठाया है और कई बार अखबारों में भी आ चुका है। स्ट्रलाइट कम्पनी के साथ राज्य सरकार का क्या गठजोड़ है, इस बात की तरफ ध्यान देना जरूरत है। किस तरह से दिन दहाड़े खुलेआम छत्तीसगढ़ से हजारों करोड़ रुपयों का बाक्साइट और दूसरे खानों की स्मगलिंग तथा गैर कानूनी खनन और ट्रंसपोर्टेशन प्रतिदिन हो रहा है।

श्री निशिकांत दुबे (गोड्डा): स्ट्रलाइट को वह खान किसने दी थी?

श्री भक्त चरण दास :  खान किसने दी है, यह बात मैं नहीं जानता हूं। पिछले दो-चार साल की बात मैं आपको बता रहा हूं। किसी भी सरकार ने कानून के अनुसार खान दी होगी। मैं उस बारे में नहीं कहना चाहता हूं। लेकिन आज जो हो रहा है, आप अपने संसद सदस्यों से पूछें। मैं उन लोगों की व्यथा जानता हूं कि किस तरह से स्ट्रलाइट कम्पनी बिना सरकार को रेवेन्यु देते हुए गैरकानूनी ट्रंसपोर्टेशन कर रही है। मैं बीजेपी के मित्रों से अनुरोध करूंगा कि इस तरफ वे ध्यान दें और राज्य की आय बढ़ाने का काम करें, ताकि राज्य के विकास में इस पूंजी को लगाया जा सके। झारखंड की बात मैं आपको बताना चाहता हूं। झारखंड वर्ष 2000 में राज्य बना था और आज एक दशक बीत चुका है।  लोगों में उम्मीद थी कि झारखंड में विकास तेजी से होगा। अभी  पंचायती राज की बात हो रही थी, सत्ता के विकेन्द्रीकरण की बात हो रही थी, गरीब, आदिवासी, दलित और पिछड़े वर्गों को तथा महिलाओं को हक दिलाने की बात हो रही थी।

          आज एक दशक बीत गया है। वहां विकास नाम का कोई चित्र गांवों में नहीं दिखायी देता है। एक साल पहले यहां संसद में आने से पहले मुझे झारखंड घूमने का मौका मिला था। झारखंड में अपनी पार्टी के कई कार्यों में मुझे जाना पड़ा था। कई गांवों में मैंने जाकर देखा, वहां पीने के पानी की बात, बिजली की बात  देखिए तथा और भी कई चीजें देखिए। वहां पूरे राज्य में देखिए, 44 प्रतिशत से ज्यादा लोग गरीबी की रेखा से नीचे हैं। ऐसी जगह में 4000 करोड़ रुपये के आयरन ओर के स्कैंडल की बात संसद में उठ चुकी है। 4000 करोड़ रुपये की अवैध खनन हुई है और वहां के जिन लोगों के नाम सामने आए हैं, कई बार अखबार में यह बात आई है और विदेश में कैसे उनकी पूंजी रखी गई है, यह बात भी पूरा देश जान रहा है। हजारों हजारों करोड़ रुपये की अवैध खनन हो रह। है। लेकिन हम हाथ पर हाथ रखे बैठे हैं, हम उस पर कुछ नहीं कर पा रहे हैं। मैं झारखंड से अपने राज्य उड़ीसा में आना चाहता हूं।

          हमारा राज्य उड़ीसा इस मामले में बहुत विख्यात है। अभी कोयले में हजारों करोड़ रुपये के अवैध व्यापार की बात हुई है जिससे विधान सभा में पूरा विपक्ष विरोध में गांधी जी की मूर्ति के सामने बैठा रहा।...( व्यवधान) राज्य सरकार उसे अनदेखा कर रही है। इसमें आप जैसे मिल जाते हैं, कभी कभी लैफ्ट और बीजेपी मिल जाते हैं। यहां आदर्श की बात नहीं हो रही है। यहां बात अवैध खनन की हो रही है। जब अवैध खनन हो तो विधान सभा में जो भी लोग हैं, विरोध करेंगे। लेकिन एकसाथ अनशन की बात नहीं हो रही है। यह  अनैतिक संबंध की बात नहीं है। यह अवैध खनन की बात है। मैंने संसद में यह मामला उठाया था। मंत्री महोदय से मैं जानना चाहूंगा और मैंने संसद में यह मामला उठाया था कि क्योंझर जैसा जो आदिवासी जिला है जिसमें बडबिल एक जगह है और जहां भरपूर आयरन ओर का खनन चारो ओर चालू है और देश के तमाम आयरन ओर के व्यापारी वहां पर लूट कर रहे हैं। वहां पर मैंने 4000 करोड़ रुपये के स्कैंडल के बारे में मुद्दा उठाया था और मैंने सीबीआई जांच की मांग की थी। मंत्री महोदय ने एक उत्तर में कहा था कि आईबीएन को वहां भेजकर एक जांच की गई लेकिन क्या कार्रवाई उसके बाद हुई, वह आज तक पता नहीं चला। राज्य सरकार क्यों सीबीआई जांच करने से पीछे हट रही है? एक विजिलेंस कमेटी राज्य सरकार ने बिठा दी और उस कमेटी के तहत 125 जगहों में जहां अवैध खनन हो रही था, उसको तो बैन कर दिया और उसके साथ 8 अधिकारियों को निलंबित कर दिया लेकिन की मुख्य व्यक्ति कहां गये? मैंने कहा था कि जो दो प्रमुख व्यक्ति हैं, जिनका हाथ उस अवैध खनन में है,...( व्यवधान) वे दोनों...( व्यवधान) ये दोनों महान व्यक्ति चीफ मिनिस्टर बन सकते हैं।...( व्यवधान)

MR. CHAIRMAN : Shri Bhakta Charan Das, please address the Chair. If you argue like that, there would not be any debate. Please try to understand this. Please address the Chair and do not talk like that.

SHRI BHAKTA CHARAN DAS : Our colleagues are interested in participating in this discussion. I can very much see that, and the House can watch their interest. Please see how they are interested while listening to my speech on exploitation through illegal mining and looting the property of the tribal people of Orissa.  आप देखेंगे कि इतना अवैध खनन हो रहा है और पूरी उड़ीसा सरकार ने इतने एमओयू साइन किये। शिशु मृत्यु दर में हम लोग कितना आगे हैं और गरीबी, बीपीएल में कितने हम लोग आगे हैं और क्योंझर, कालाहांडी, कोरापुट देखिए। जहां इतनी खानें हैं, वहां पर गरीबी का बुरे से बुरा हाल है और उड़ीसा सरकार एमओयू पर एमओयू साइन करना चाहती है और कर रही है। केन्द्र सरकार बार बार उड़ीसा सरकार को सचेत करने के लिए निर्देश देती रहती है लेकिन उड़ीसा सरकार केन्द्र सरकार के अस्तित्व को मानने के लिए तैयार नहीं है।

          राज्य सरकार समस्याओं और मुद्दों को, पर्यावरण कानून को, फॉरेस्ट एक्ट को, फॉरेस्ट राइट एक्ट को नजरअंदाज कर रही है। केंद्र सरकार के बार-बार तायीद करने के बाद भी आज तक राज्य सरकार नजरअंदाज करती आई है, उलटा केंद्र सरकार को जिम्मेदार ठहराया जाता है कि केंद्र राज्य को नेग्लेक्ट कर रहा है, नजरअंदाज कर रहा है, राज्य के विकास में बाधा डाल रहा है। मैं उस राज्य के गरीब इलाके से आता हूं। मुझे भी तड़प होती है कि मेरा जिला विकास करे। गुलाम बनकर नहीं बल्कि एक सचेतक, संवेदनशील व्यक्ति की तरह समूचे लोगों को लेकर विकास किया जाना चाहिए। अंधे की तरह ब्लाइंड एमओयू साइन करना उचित नहीं है। 2004 में वेदांत कंपनी के साथ उड़ीसा खनन कारपोरेशन साइन करता है लेकिन उससे एक साल पहले नियामगिरी रिजर्व फॉरेस्ट के नीचे वेदांत कंपनी रिफाइनरी फाउंडेशन स्टोन रखने की क्या जरूरत थी? राज्य के मुख्यमंत्री का क्या इंट्रस्ट था कि फाउंडेशन स्टोन रख दिया? राज्य के मुख्यमंत्री भी एक व्यक्ति हैं, डेमोक्रेसी में एक इंसान हैं और वे रा­ट्र के कानून मानने के लिए मजबूर हैं। उन्होंने रिजर्व फॉरेस्ट में फाउंडेशन स्टोन रखा, वाएलेशन किया। उसके लिए आज तक क्यों स्पष्टीकरण नहीं मांगा गया? मैंने इस बात को एन्वार्यनमेंट और फॉरेस्ट कंसलटेटिव कमेटी में उठाया था- Under what law, under what Forest Act do you permit a Chief Minister or a Government to lay the foundation stone of such a giant factory which is creating noise pollution every time and causing problems to the human and animal population in the forest? कंपनी को कोई लाइसेंस नहीं मिला, कोई परमिशन नहीं मिला और अभी तक एन्वायर्नमेंट क्लियरेंस नहीं मिली। राज्य सरकार की इस बात की इंक्वायरी के लिए एन्वायर्नमेंट मिनिस्ट्री ने डॉ. सक्सेना समिति गठित की थी। चार - पांच लोग जंगल के इलाके में, नियामगिरी इलाके में गए, टैक्सी लेकर गए, अपने खर्च पर गए, जनता के पास जंगल में पहुंचे। उन्होंने कहा कि नियामगिरी हिल पर डोंगरिया आदिवासियों का हक होना चाहिए। सदियों और सालों से जिस नियामगिरी को नियाम राजा मान रहे हैं, उन्हें फॉरेस्ट राइट एक्ट के तहत कम्युनिटी अधिकार मिलना चाहिए लेकिन राज्य सरकार ने नहीं दिया। उन्हें किस तरह पीड़ित किया जा रहा है, मैं इस बात को सदन में रख चुका हूं, मैं इसे दोहराना नहीं चाहता हूं। मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि बार-बार वाएलेशन करने के बाद भी सरकार को अपने निर्णय को सुधार कर वास्तविक औद्योगिक और आर्थिक विकास करना चाहिए। अगर इसे ठीक तरह से नहीं करेंगे तो किस तरह से राज्य का विकास होगा?

          महोदय, सबसे बड़ी बात यह है कि कर्नाटक में किस तरह से अवैध खनन हो रहा है। कर्नाटक में जस्टिस हेगड़े साहब, लोकायुक्त ने टिप्पणी की है और मुख्य मंत्री जी ने विधान सभा में माना है और कहा है कि पिछले दो सालों में व­ाऩ 2008-09 और व­ाऩ 2009-10 में 33,96,126 मीट्रिक टन और 71,27,957 मीट्रिक टन अवैध खनन की ट्रंसपोर्टेशन हुई है। आप देखें 2500 करोड़ रुपए का आकलन किया गया है।

आप यह भी देखेंगे कि केवल बेलिगरी पोर्ट में ही हुआ। लेकिन केवल बेलिगरी पोर्ट से ही अवैध रूप से सामान नहीं जाता है, कर्नाटक राज्य में कर्नाटक से जिन-जिन पोर्ट्स को जाता है, उनमें मैंगलौर पोर्ट, कारवार पोर्ट, चेन्नई पोर्ट, काकीनाडा पोर्ट, गोवा पोर्ट तथा अन्य कई पोर्ट्स हैं। कम से कम वहां आठ-दस पोर्ट्स से अवैध आयरन ओर का एक्सपोर्ट होता है। यदि आप इन तमाम चीजों को देखेंगे तो सभापति जी कम से कम दस हजार करोड़ रुपये की यहां अवैध व्यापार हुआ है। (Interruptions) …* संलिप्त व्यक्तियों का जो इतिहास है, मैं उस पर जाना नहीं चाहूंगा।  ...( व्यवधान)

MR. CHAIRMAN : The name will not go on record.

(Interruptions) …* श्री भक्त चरण दास :  साल में सात से आठ मिलियन टन अवैध व्यापार किया गया।. ..( व्यवधान) ठीक है, नाम की बात छोड़िये, घोटाला तो हुआ है। ...( व्यवधान) सी सी रिपोर्ट, आंध्र प्रदेश द्वारा गठित तीन मैम्बर्स कमेटी रिपोर्ट, डीएफओ की चिठ्ठी ये सारी चीजें साबित करती हैं कि दिन में किस तरह से 1500 से 2000 ट्रक लोड का ट्रंसपोर्टेशन हो रहा है।

MR. CHAIRMAN: Please conclude. There are other Members of your Party to speak.

… (Interruptions)

श्री भक्त चरण दास:  इस ट्रेडिंग में जो (Interruptions) …* इनवोल्व हैं MR. CHAIRMAN: Do not mention the names. It will not go on record.

(Interruptions) …* श्री भक्त चरण दास :  उनके खिलाफ नॉन बेलेबल वारंट होने के बावजूद भी आज तक सरकार ने उन्हें गिरफ्तार क्यों नहीं किया? इस बात की जानकारी सदन को होनी चाहिए कि आज तक उन्हें गिरफ्तार क्यों नहीं किया गया? इसी बेल्लारी माइन में एक मंदिर था। हमारे भारतीय जनता पार्टी के भाई लोग, जिन्होंने हिंदुत्व के नाम पर एक समय पूरे देश को दो हिस्सो में बांट दिया।  प्राचीन मंदिर के विध्वंस होने पर खामोश क्यो हैं ...( व्यवधान) हम भी आपके भाई हैं। वहां मंदिर में 400 साल पुरानी भारतीय संस्कृति की एक धरोहर को अपनी सम्पति के लालच में, पैसे के लालच में किस तरह से इन्होंने इस मंदिर को ध्वस्त कर दिया गया। यह बात पूरे देश में फैल चुकी है और लोग इस बात को जानते हैं।

 MR. CHAIRMAN: There are yet three more speakers from your Party to speak. Therefore, you conclude your speech.

… (Interruptions)

श्री भक्त चरण दास:  महोदय, कर्नाटक की अवैध ट्रेडिंग हो, उड़ीसा की अवैध ट्रेडिंग हो, ये सारे जो अवैध ट्रेडिंग का मामला है...( व्यवधान) मैं इस पर ज्यादा नहीं बोलना चाहता...( व्यवधान)

MR. CHAIRMAN: You have already taken 25 minutes. Please conclude your speech. There are other Members to speak.

… (Interruptions)

श्री भक्त चरण दास :  लेकिन यह सच्चाई है कि आज जिस तरह से देश में खनन और प्राकृतिक सम्पदा की लूट हो रही है, उसके कारण ये इलाके विकास की दौड़ में पीछे जा रहे हैं। मेरा निवेदन है कि केन्द्र सरकार उड़ीसा और कर्नाटक में इसकी सीबाआई से जांच की सिफारिश करे, ताकि सच्चाई जनता के सामने आ सके। इसी के साथ मैं आपको धन्यवाद देते हुए अपनी बात समाप्त करता हूं।

   

श्री अनंत कुमार (बंगलौर दक्षिण): सभापति महोदय, आज अवैध खनन के बारे में पूरा सदन बहस कर रहा है। अभी-अभी हमारे पूर्व वक्ता श्री बसुदेव आचार्य जी ने बोलते हुए बहू और बेटी के बारे में जिक्र किया।

बिल्लारी से बहू चुनाव जीती लेकिन वहां से पलायन कर गई। उन्होंने 35 हजार के  पैकेज  की घोषणा की थी लेकिन 35 हजार तो छोड़िये, बिल्लारी की जनता को 35 रुपये भी नहीं मिले। हमारी नेता सुषमा जी, जिसके लिये बेटी का नाम दिया गया, आप जानते हैं कि वह वहां चुनाव हारी लेकिन हर बार महालक्ष्मी पूजा में वहां की जनता के साथ जुड़ गई हैं और बिल्लारी के विकास का पथ-प्रदर्शन सुषमा जी ने किया।

          सभापति महोदय,  मैं तो समस्या का प्रश्न शुरु नहीं करना चाहता हैं, समस्या के बारे में बोलना नहीं चाहूंगा जिसे श्री बसुदेव आचार्य और श्री भक्त चरण दास जी ने सब के सामने रखा है। इस समस्या का समाधान क्या हो सकता है? इसके दो समाधान हो सकते हैं और वे दोनों समाधान बी.जे.पी. ने प्रस्तुत किये हैं। हमारे लोकप्रिय मुख्यमंत्री श्री येदुरप्पा ने प्रस्तुत किया है। वहां की सरकार ने आदेश किया है कि हम ऑयरन ओर का निर्यात बंद करेंगे और कर्नाटक के 10-15 पोर्ट्स से ऑयरन ओर का एक्सपोर्ट नहीं होगा। हमारे मुख्यमंत्री जी ने एन.डी.सी. की बैठक में माननीय प्रधानमंत्री जी से आग्रह किया कि यदि पूरे भारत में अवैध खनन को बंद करना है तो ऑयरन ओर का एक्सपोर्ट बंद करिये। You can ban the export of iron ore. I do not understand why it is not done. My dear friend, the hon. Minister is here. He is bringing a Bill in the Rajya Sabha – an amendment Bill to the MMDR Act of 1957. That Amendment Bill pertains only to coal. It should have been a comprehensive Bill.

          I also want to draw the attention of the hon. House to this. I was the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal and Mines. I also gave a report in 2004-05. There can be only two solutions – one is that whenever you allow iron ore mining and whenever you want to give a lease for iron ore mining, you should give it only for value added mining. It should not be for exports. The second is that there should be a ban on the exports. I request the hon. Minister and the Government of India that they should bring forward a new Bill to amend the MMDR Act of 1957 and it should have these two things – value addition and ban on exports.

THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI B.K. HANDIQUE): The Bill will be coming any day, hopefully during this Session.

SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ (VIDISHA): Very good.

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : On behalf of my leader, Shrimati Sushma Swaraj Ji, and on behalf of my Party, the BJP, in this august House, we welcome the move – if you are bringing an amendment to ban exports of iron ore and also value addition, while giving leases for iron ore mining.  I am also assuring you and requesting my other colleagues, including Shri Devegowda, Shri Basudeb Acharia and our Congress friends, to pass this Bill unanimously in this House.

          There is a demand from different sections of this House, from various hon. Members, that it should be applicable to all the minerals, like coal, bauxite and various other minerals.  I do not think the BJP has any problem in this regard. We are ready for value addition and ban on export.  My friends in the Treasury Benches can raise questions but Sir, I feel that we should examine as to who is responsible for illegal mining, illegal transportation and illegal export.

 If we go through the entire procedure, we all know that the State Government does only a clerical work. It proposes the mining lease but the sanction is given by the Indian Bureau of Mines and the Mining Ministry of the Union Government after prospecting and after the reconnaissance, because the Indian Bureau of Mines is a technical wing of the Ministry of Mines.  They have got the wherewithals.  They know how much ore bearing that area has. Therefore, not only that, they give a mining plan also.  They tell this much of mining should be done; and not more than that much ore should be removed.  It is well within their supervision and the lease holders have to follow the mining plan.

          Sir, I also want to bring to your notice that the State Government proposes and after the proposal the Mining Ministry of the Union Government and the IBM after doing all the due diligence, accord the sanction and permission. Afterwards, they give the mining plan also.  Every year two other permissions from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, and Pollution Control Board are also required. That means, three permissions are required out of which two are required from the Union Government.  After that when the ore is excavated, it is transported. When it is transported, the ore will go to the port.  My dear Sir, no port has a State Government official.  The hon. Members who are raising questions here, are in a cuckoo’s world thinking that their State Government officers are sitting at different ports.  I may tell them that it is not the State Government officers but the officers of the Finance Ministry, the officers working under the Leader of this House, Shri Pranab Mukherjee.  They are sitting there as the Customs Officers. It is their duty to see whether the iron ore that reaches the port has to be allowed to get exported or not. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN : Let him speak.  The Minister will reply to it.  I would request the Members to listen to the hon. Member. There should be no running commentary.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Nothing, except what Shri Ananth Kumar says, will go on record.

(Interruptions) … * SHRI ANANTH KUMAR (BANGALORE SOUTH): Sir, illegal mining is going on unabated for the last ten years.  I want to give some figures.  In 2003-04, the permits given by the Union Government for the excavation of iron ore mining in Karnataka were 23.27 lakh metric tonnes; exports made – 45.76 lakh metric tonnes; and 20.49 lakh metric tonnes were transported illegally. In the next year of 2004-05, permits given were for 64.51 lakh metric tonnes; exports made – 116.91 lakh metric tonnes; and the difference was of 52.39 lakh metric tonnes.  In 2005-06, permits were given for 92.99 lakh metric tonnes; exports of 114.71 lakh metric tonnes were made; so 21.71 lakh metric tonnes was illegal.  Who were the Chief Ministers?  The Chief Ministers were Shri S.M. Krishna and Shri Dharam Singh. 

Why it happens?  How an iron ore becomes illegal iron ore, that also I think this House should appreciate.  Only in two ways an iron ore will become illegal iron ore. Firstly, if any miner excavates more than the mining plan from ‘x’ lease hold, then the extra quantity of the iron ore which is excavated becomes illegal iron ore.  Secondly, if the Central Government and the State Government have given 100 hectares for mining and the miner does mining activity in 1000 hectare, then the remaining extent of the illegal mining becomes illegal iron ore.  Who has to check this?… (Interruptions).  Shall I tell you one thing?  We have heard Shri Bhakta Charan Dasji with rapt attention.  Sometimes truths are bitter.  Please listen to them.

 On being inquired about the jurisdiction of the Central Government and the State Government insofar as detection and prevention of illegal mining is concerned, the Ministry of Mines stated that the regulation of mines minerals is the responsibility of the Central Government and conservation of minerals and protection of environment also.  Hence framing of laws for prevention of illegal mining is in the jurisdiction of the Central Government.

          In 2006-07, permits were given for 60.55 lakh metric tonnes; exports made were 108 lakh metric tonnes; and 47.44 lakh metric tonnes was illegally exported.  In 2007-08, for 89.73 lakh metric tonnes permission was given; 147.34 lakh metric tonnes exports happened; and 57.61 lakh metric tonnes were illegally exported. Who was the hon. Chief Minister then? It was Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy. Shri Kumaraswamy is sitting here. I am only telling about the genesis of the menace.  The menace is that in the last ten years lakhs of tonnes of illegal iron ore has been excavated and exported. ….(Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN : Hon. Members, please co-operate with the Chair to conduct the proceedings of the House.

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR: Sir, in 2008-09 and in 2009-10, 71.72 lakh metric tonnes and 33.96 lakh metric tonnes of illegally mined iron ore was exported. Unfortunately, when this was happening, the State Government of Karnataka, led by Shri Yedurappa decided that the State Government will not give lease to companies if they are not ready for value addition. If they did not come out with a steel plant in the State, mining lease will not be given. Therefore, mining leases were given to companies like M/s Mittal Arcellers, M/s Kalyani Steel and M/s Bhusan Steel and such other companies which came ready to have a steel plant in the State of Karnataka. But such a decision was never taken in the earlier regimes. There was no decision of value addition in relation to giving mining leases. But they are accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party. 

          Sir, I would like to give some details here. The hon. Lok Ayukta of Karnataka investigated into the deals of mining lease between the period 2006 and 2008. He gave an interim report. In that interim report it was found, not what Shri Basudev Acharia mentioned as 66 illegal mining leases, 99 mining leases were given. To whom were these mining leases given? (Not recorded) of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, area encroached 16.83… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Ananth Kumar when they took the name of the Reddy Brothers, you raised objection and I expunged those names. But now you are raising some names and therefore, those names also will not form part of the record.

(Interruptions) …* SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : I am ready to authenticate the papers… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN:  You have to give prior notice for that and get permission.

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, my friends from the Congress should know that 22 of them belong to their party, they are MLAs from their party… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN:  Generally you can say, but please do not mention names.

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR: It is they who participated in illegal mining activities according to the Lok Ayukta of Karnataka. What is their answer for that?

          Sir, Shri Rahul Gandhi, the General Secretary of the Congress Party visited the State of Karnataka day before yesterday. He said that if anybody was found to be indulging in illegal mining, then they should be rejected. He is not present here today in the House. But Shrimati Sonia Gandhi is present here and I would like to ask both of them, do they reject those persons? They are sitting MLAs. They are sitting office bearers of the Congress party. If they vouchsafe their words, then let they be rejected by them… (Interruptions)

          Sir, they are referring to couple of names of Ministers of our Government in the State of Karnataka. I would like to tell them to go through the details; they should go through the documents. They should also know that the hon. Supreme Court had instituted a CBI enquiry against Obalapuram Mining Company. But, do they know that later the Supreme Court had to pass a Stay Order for M/s OMC? The CBI investigation could find nothing against them, whereas these are the kind of indictments, strictures and findings made by the Lok Ayukta regarding some of our friends. 

Secondly, my friend, Shri Kumaraswamy, is here.  As Shri Basudeb Acharia and Shri Bhakta Charan Das said, we had an alliance with JD(S).  We wanted to keep the Congress out. We wanted to give a non-Congress Government in Karnataka.  Therefore, we gave support to him. What is the situation?  I want to give comparative figures. You asked as to how many mining leases have been recommended and to what extent they were recommended.  This is the question put by the hon. House.  I respect this question and hence, I want to give the comparison.

During Shri S.M. Krishna’s period, 1999-2004, 16 cases were recommended to the Government of India to the tune of 2048 hectares, that is, more than 5500 acres.  During Shri Dharam Singh’s period, 28.5.2004 to 2.2.2006, 42 cases were recommended.  Then the JD(S) was supporting Dharam Singh.  It was to the extent of 2964.29 hectares that is more than 6000 acres. During Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy’s period, 2.2.2006 to 9.10.2007, 44 cases have been recommended to the tune of 8042.30 hectares. During our period, Shri Yeddurappa’s period, 23 mining leases have been recommended to the tune of 991 hectares and they are all for value addition.   There is nothing like stray leases. It is not only that.

My senior colleague, Shri Deve Gowda and Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy are here. On 6th October, 2007, we withdrew support to Kumaraswamy Government.   In Karnataka Legislature, there are 224 MLAs.  They had 40 MLAs and we had 79 plus five MLAs totalling 84 MLAs.  I mean 79 MLAs of BJP and five MLAs of JD(U).  We fought as an  alliance.  When we withdrew our support, from that moment, the Government became a minority Government. They lost the majority. They lost the moral and constitutional sanction to govern the State.  At that time, they had given leases.  In the last days of Kumaraswamy Government, they have given 22 leases. … (Interruptions)

SHRI H.D. KUMARASWAMY (BANGALORE RURAL):    Sir, if I have recommended anything when our Government was in minority, I will quit politics. … (Interruptions) In the beginning itself, he told that it is a clerical job.… (Interruptions) In the beginning itself, he told that the State Government recommendation issue is only a clerical job.  The Central Government has to take a decision on whichever cases we recommend to them.  That is the power or the decision of the Central Government.  Recommendation is different and permission granted by the Central Government is different.   In the beginning itself, he has told it. … (Interruptions)

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR  Sir, my dear friend Shri Kumaraswamy has given a challenge.… (Interruptions) I am talking about the same thing.  The honourable former Chief Minister of Karnataka and my hon. colleague, Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy has given a challenge.  Now it is for me to accept. … (Interruptions)

On 6th October a mining lease for Shri K. Venkatesh has been recommended by Shri Kumaraswamy’s minority Government.  To prove a point, on 5th October, he had recommended a lease to one Shri Ramesh Kumar, on 4th October he had recommended a lease to Shr Mohammed Imam Niyaji; on 5th October, he had recommended a lease to Shri Ramamurthy; on 5th October he had recommended a lease to Messrs. Banshankari Mining Corporation; on 4th October, he had recommended a lease to Shri M. Bavanna; on 5th October he had recommended a lease to Shri R.N. Ashok;  on 5th October, he had recommended a lease to Mineral Enterprises.  On the day when his Government became the minority Government, he recommended Shri Venkatesh for a lease. 

          Now, he has changed the stance?  What is the stance is he taking now? He is taking the stance: “I can recommend, but it is up to the Union Government to decide.” Of course, it is not in the hands of any State Government to accord the mining permission.  The State Government can only recommend. My only question to the entire House, including Shri Kumaraswamy is this: When his Government became minority, why did he recommend?  That is the question. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN : Order please.

SHRI H.D. KUMARASWAMY: After my Government became minority, if I had recommended even a single case, I will quit politics. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Ananth Kumar, please wind up.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI H.D. DEVEGOWDA (HASSAN): I am not going to disturb Shri Ananth Kumar.  I am simply watching the proceedings.  I would request Shri Kumaraswamy to be silent.  When our turn comes, we will reply. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Ananth Kumar, please wind up. You have already taken a lot of time.

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : There was so much of disturbance. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Please try to wind up.  Hon. Members, please maintain silence.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Till now I was speaking on what were the findings of Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde.  These are the findings of Justice Santosh Hegde. They are interim findings. 

          To the credit of our Government in Karnataka led by Shri Yeddyurappa, I want to say that through a recent Government Order, the Karnataka Government has asked the Lokayukta to investigate the cases not just up to 2008, but up to 2010.  That is the decision of our Government in Karnataka. 

          They are raising the question: Why not the CBI?  The basic question is: How are you using the CBI? How are you using the CBI in Gujarat? How are you using the CBI in Uttar Pradesh against Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav? How are you using the CBI in Bihar against Shri Lalu Prasad? … (Interruptions)

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY): This point about the Gujarat issue has already been answered by the hon. Home Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram. This House is fully aware of the fact that on the direction of the Supreme Court the CBI is investigating the case.  It has been made clear. He is making a political speech forgetting everything. … (Interruptions)

They are making a political speech. … (Interruptions)

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : The question is that the hon. Supreme Court might have directed, but the CBI cannot be `Congress Bureau of Investigation’.  It cannot be.  It is unfortunate.  They are misusing the CBI against Ms. Jayalalitha in Tamil Nadu also. … (Interruptions)  This is the way they are misusing. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN : Please try to wind up. Please conclude.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir what is there to conclude? They are not allowing me to speak. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Let him conclude.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR: They are not allowing me to speak. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record except what Shri Ananth Kumar says.

(Interruptions) … * SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY: Shri Ananth Kumar, you are casting aspersions on our Government. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record except what Shri Ananth Kumar says.

(Interruptions) …*  SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY: Sir he has been saying that our Government is misusing the CBI. He did cast an aspersion on the Supreme Court because the Supreme Court has directed the inquiry in the Gujarat case.    … (Interruptions)

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir I do not know why our hon. Minister of Parliamentary Affairs is misleading the entire House.  … (Interruptions)

SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY: Do not try to mislead the House.  If you mislead the House, it is our duty to correct how the hon. Member is misleading the House. … (Interruptions)

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir with regard to the use of CBI, our only anguish is that the Ruling Party, the Congress Party, cannot use the Central Bureau of Investigation for partisan and political purposes. … (Interruptions) They are doing it in every State.  … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Please conclude.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir I am concluding. The question is that the Karnataka Government decided that when there is a Lokayukta under the leadership of Justice Santosh Hegde, the most righteous former Justice of the hon. Supreme Court, his investigations will be more credible as compared to the CBI.  The CBI is manned by Officers who work under the behest of the UPA Government and the Congress Party.  Therefore, I am once again, using all the energies at my command, I am telling you Sir that if they want to destabilize the Federal structure of India, if they want to use the Central Bureau of Investigation as a Congress Bureau of Investigation, the Bharatiya Janata Party or any non-Congress Party is not ready to support them.  We are not with the CBI; we do not allow the CBI and we are ready for any other investigation. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Please wind up.

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, I am winding up.

          The Lokayukta gave an interim report.  I quote:

“the hon. Lokayukta in his report has mentioned, the commissions and omissions of …. (Not recorded) which have resulted in transportation of illegally-mined ore causing revenue loss to the State to the extent of Rs. 23,22,11,850.”   

18.00 hrs. “By his commissions and omissions, …* has committed misconduct and acted  in a manner unbecoming of a public servant, of the class to which he belongs.”    MR. CHAIRMAN :  Even if he is a Member of this House, you cannot make allegations. The allegations cannot be recorded.

(Interruptions) …* SHRI ANANTH KUMAR :  These are the findings of the Lokayukta.… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: You have to give prior notice. Then only you can make allegations. Even if he is a Member of this House, you have to give prior notice. You have not given prior notice.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN:  It is now Six of the Clock. We still have 15 hon. Members yet to speak because many Members belonging to other parties have not yet participated in the discussion. Therefore, if you all accept, we can extend the time of the House till the discussion is over.

… (Interruptions)

श्री तूफ़ानी सरोज (मछलीशहर): सभापति महोदय, पहले ज़ीरो आवर लिया जाए।...( व्यवधान)

SOME HON. MEMBERS:  Yes.… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN:  You are all accepting it. 

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: With the consent of the House, we are extending the time of the House till the discussion is over. Afterwards, Zero Hour will be taken up. Shri Ananth Kumar, please try to wind up SHRI ANANTH KUMAR :  I am winding up. Before winding up, I want to submit that whatever I am quoting, they are not any Press clippings; they are not any allegations. They are the findings of the hon. Lokayukta, Karnataka. Therefore, I can definitely place them before you.… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN:  Please wind up.

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR :  The most unfortunate thing is that when …* was the hon. Governor of Karnataka,  instead of allowing the Lokayukta to proceed against the then Chief Minister … belonging to the Congress Party, after the Lokayukta’s findings, he over-ruled the entire findings of those sections of the findings of the hon. Lokayukta and saved him. This is how even the Governor’s Office is being misused in Karnataka.  So, my only request to you  and my only request to the entire House is this.… (Interruptions)

SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY:   Sir, he is an hon. Member of this House. He makes an allegation against the Member of a House. It should be removed from the records.… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN:  I have already expunged it.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR :  I am not making an allegation. I am only reading the excerpts from the Lokayukta’s Report. It is from the Lokayukta’s Report. So, when this is the Lokayukta Report, I can read it out from it.… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN:  No. If  at all it is from any Report, you have to take prior permission to make any allegation.

श्री सैयद शाहनवाज़ हुसैन (भागलपुर):जो हाउस के मैम्बर नहीं हैं, उनका नाम नहीं लेंगे, लेकिन वे हाउस के मैम्बर हैं।...( व्यवधान)

MR. CHAIRMAN:  You have to get permission from the Chair.

          Next, I call Shri H.D. Deve Gowda.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR :  Sir, I have not yet completed.

MR. CHAIRMAN: Please wind up. Already, you have taken 45 minutes.

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR :  My request on behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party is this.  The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Government under the leader of Shri B.S. Yediyurappa in Karnataka has taken an exemplary decision to stop the illegal iron-ore mining. As our hon. Mining Minister knows,  25 per cent of mining comes from Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh; 50 per cent comes from more than 10 States. In that, Karnataka is also one major State. We have taken a decision to ban the export and only given lease to value addition. When we have taken this exemplary decision, as has been assured by the hon. Minister Shri Handique, let him bring forward a comprehensive Bill to ban the export. Let him bring forward an exemplary and comprehensive Bill to accord permission only to value addition of mining. The Bharatiya Janata Party is going to support it. The BJP, per se, is against illegal iron-ore mining. It is the responsibility of the Union Government. Shri Basu Deb Acharia and Shri Bhakta Charan Das have said that if at all there is a huge spurt in illegal iron-ore mining, it is in the last six years. I want to remind the hon. Ministers that in the last six years, it has been the UPA-I and II Government led by Dr. Manmohan Singh and guided by Shrimati Sonia Gandhi. Therefore, it is their responsibility.… (Interruptions)           Therefore, it is their responsibility to stop the illegal iron ore mining. In that effort, we are with them, we are with the country.

 

MR. CHAIRMAN : Now, Shri H.D. Devegowda will speak.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: ‘Zero Hour’ will be taken up after the discussion is over. Please take your seat.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Till now the Member from your party spoke. Now the hon. former Prime Minister is going to speak. Please listen to him.

 

SHRI H.D. DEVEGOWDA (HASSAN): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I did not disturb others while they were speaking. I watched the proceedings of the House silently. Now, the Chair has permitted to take up this issue of illegal mining, not legal mining.

          Sir, I do not know the definition of ‘illegal mining’, but I think legal mining is the mining which is undertaken with proper permission obtained from both the Central and State Governments.

18.07 hrs               (Shri P.C. Chacko in the Chair)           Sir, the issue here is about illegal mining. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN : Please don’t disturb.

SHRI H.D. DEVEGOWDA: Sir, illegal mining is the issue that is being discussed in this august House now. So, raising, trading and export etc. will be debated at a later stage by me. Now, illegal mining issue is not just about the loot of the country’s finest mineral wealth, destruction of precious reserve forests, violation of FEMA, violation of environment laws, loss of revenue and threat to national security, but it also shows the worst phase till date of business and State nexus by which one can get totally unaccountable, bending every law on the statute book in this country, if you enjoy the patronage of the State and Central Governments.

          Sir, I am not going to take the names of anybody. I will only answer about Shri Kumaraswamy. I do not want to take the names of anybody. It is not proper for us to take the names of those people who are not in the House.

          The second point is about how a family of three brothers who hail from Bellary, two of them Ministers in Karnataka and the Chairman of a Board and an MLA and another business partner, holding a Cabinet portfolio in Karnataka, enjoying close business ties with the scion till a short while ago, with the powers that be in the neighbouring State of Andhra Pradesh, is able to plunder mineral wealth, abuse political power, subjugate the law and order machinery and convert the administrative machinery of a district as Minister in-charge in mere private cartel to raise a personal fortune running into thousands of crores of rupees from mere bankruptcy in tainted chit funds business in 2003 to this date.

Several print media and the electronic media have raised this issue; they have published; and the country has seen it.  Not only the Members of this House, but the whole country has seen it. I must congratulate; I must compliment those papers.  At least, I would like to mention, Sir, with your kind permission, that Minister to Collector have all come to the aid of Rs. 3000 crore mining party.  I am not going to mention the names.

          This is the photo published.… (Interruptions) I know my responsibility. If you want to take the name of ‘X’ ‘Y’ ‘Z’ including the Central Government Finance Minister, all our present sitting Ministers, Yes, you have got a right. But I have got a right to quote, what has appeared in the newspapers.  It is not a yellow journal; it is a standard newspaper which has got its own reputation.  Everybody very anxiously look to ‘Walk and Talk’ by the editor.  I know this.  That is why, I do not want to go beyond this.  There are other papers, other magazines which I do not want to quote.

          The second point is this.  The mines are owned only in Andhra Pradesh by them and as alleged in a host of revision petitions pending with the Central Ministry of Mines from the year 2007 with meticulous documents which on bare perusal show that the transfer and allotment of mines were blatant act of favoritism and were based on a false and forged documentation.  But the State of Andhra Pradesh, which has initiated last year a CBI probe, which is again stayed by the High Court, in earlier dispensation, robustly defended the illegalities and the Central Ministry of Mines in no anxiety to hear and dispose of writ petitions or grant stay, the loot went on unabated by those who never should have got the lease in the first place and who now are claiming to be as pure as gold.  I have no words much more than this.

          The Tourism and Revenue Minister in Karnataka Government and their colleague and business associate, who is the Health Minister in the State Government, are directly responsible for running a parallel Government in the mining district of Karnataka, notably in Bellary. Several national newspapers, such as the Indian Express, and national news channels like CNN-IBN, Times Now and Headlines Today have done extensive stories, not one day, on illegal mining in Karnataka and the direct complicity of these Ministers with stunning and disturbing visual evidence which the whole nation has witnessed. The country’s mineral wealth is being plundered mercilessly and a parallel Government is being run which has been the focus of the series of exposes both in the print and the electronic media.  However, the State Government and the ruling party leadership is turning a blind eye to all this and is in a denial mode.

The illegal mining has been described as the crime of the century by Karnataka Lokayukta.   It is not me; it is the Lokayukta who said it. I am not telling the name of the person as to who is heading it.

          The illegal mining has been described as the crime of the  century by the Karnataka Lokayukta. I do not want to take his name. He is a former Judge of the Supreme Court of highest credibility. He was persuaded by the BJP Chief and  stalwart -- he is a Member and our senior leader, Shri L.K. Advani  -- to take back his resignation, which he tendered  out of frustration and anger against the State Government, which not only refused to act, kept the first report for nearly two years but also penalised the various officials who were working on the direction of the Lokayukta who were able to catch and unearth the racket in Karnatka ports relating to seizure of 5 lakh tonnes  of illegally mined ore, which vanished from  Bilkere Port. Due to rain, all those 5 lakh tonnes ore seized vanished.

          Sir, the charge-sheet is here.  I would just read it out. It says:  “The seizure of 8,05,999.83 million tonnes unlawfully transported and illegally stored  iron ore in Bilkere Port vide dated so and so…”           There are minor ports and there are major ports. Some of the ports are directly under the control of the State Government. The mining and ore is the Concurrent subject. The major ores are like granite, manganese, iron ore and so on and so forth. I would come to the point and discuss about the figures quoted at an appropriate time.

          This is the charge-sheet, FIR given by the officer, whose jurisdiction is the Bilkere Port area. It is a minor port and not a major port. I do not want to read all this as it would take time. There is a saga of illegal mining particularly in Bellary and  reserved forests of Andhra Pradesh. The  Karnataka border is a saga of  abuse of ministerial office and complete collusion of the State Administration in the illegal mining activities. The present Revenue and Tourism Minister of Karnataka  entered into the business of chit fund and real estate and  was near bankrupt in the year 2003; and the RBI had cancelled their licence. It is then, with the help of the former  Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh – I am sorry to say that he is no more now – on learning that there is no mining lease legally available in Karnataka, they started… (Interruptions)

SHRI ANANTHA VENKATARAMI REDDY (ANANTAPUR): At that time you were there in the Government along with the BJP.  What were you doing?… (Interruptions)

SHRI H.D. DEVEGOWDA : I know. I would tell you… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN : Hon. Member, please take your seat.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: No comments, please.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record except the speech of Shri Devegowdaji.

(Interruptions) …* MR. CHAIRMAN: It is not going on record. Only what Shri Devegowdaji is speaking is going on record. Please take your seats.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Hon. Members, please take your seats.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI H.D. DEVEGOWDA : Sir, they started acquiring mining leases in the neighbouring State of Andhra Pradesh by getting into a questionable deal. They were able to get mining leases awarded in favour of their companies.  I would quote those companies now where they are actually the partners.  I would bring all those things.

          They got mining leases awarded in favour of the companies, in a blatant act of favourtism and violation of the law and against which several cases were filed by aggrieved parties but to no avail as the State Government of Andhra Pradesh solidly stood behind them due to  political clout they enjoyed.

          Now, who has referred it to the CBI? It is the Andhra Pradesh Government. It is not me. Where, when, why—all those things are not concerned.… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Please take your seats. No interruption please.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Please take your seats.

SHRI H.D. DEVEGOWDA: I welcome it. They have awarded mines solely on the representation that they have a capital to put up a steel plant and carry out a value addition, and only excess quantities they will export, whereas not a single gram of iron ore till date has been used for any value addition by the two Bellary Ministers, and every single gram of iron ore has been exported to China and other countries.

          Sir, it is an open cast mining, and the transportation cost is hardly Rs.300 per tonne, there is staggering profit of round about Rs.5,000 on every tonne made on the export carried out from the mines awarded in the name of value addition.… (Interruptions)

          Sir, I had made an extempore speech in the very same House as the Prime Minister. It is because the time is short. Otherwise, I know I can quote several instances. When the JD(S) Government came in power in the State of Karnataka, the administration took a quick decision on illegal mining activities and illegal transportation of ore going on in Karnataka.

          Sir, hitherto my senior leader, Ananth Kumar Ji was telling about Mr. Kumaraswamy that he has allowed all these things. Yes, I said there is no need to debate on this issue now. I will take up that issue. This is Mr. Kumaraswamy’s Forest Minister writing to Mr. Kumaraswamy on 6.3.2006. … (Interruptions) Please hear me.

MR. CHAIRMAN: What is this? He is a senior Member. Please do not interrupt like this.

SHRI H.D. DEVEGOWDA : I know it. I would not have raised this. Since he has said, he has taken that issue, I am saying this. The hon. Leader is sitting here. I do not want to take the names of anybody. That is why, I was very cautious. When he has taken that, I told Mr. Kumaraswamy to keep quiet. Let him have his say. I am here to answer. When was the Government formed? What do they speak? I do not know. I had answered to all your points when Mr. Somnath Chatterjee presided here. That might have been my last speech in the previous Lok Sabha, Fourteenth Lok Sabha.

          Ananth Kumar Ji, you have got vast experience. I did not want to speak when you had on the floor. Mr. Kumaraswamy, the ex-Chief Minister on 21.7.2006 had written a letter covering all the aspects, that is, the Planning Commission has constituted a high level Committee to review the National Mineral Policy and recommended amendments to the Mines and Mineral Development Regulation Act, 1957. He has written everything, value addition vis-a-vis export and reserving areas for State exploitation because you know one of the State-owned organizations in Chikmagalur area allotted Kudremukh. Sir, that is a big issue. I do not want to discuss it now. Who was responsible? He knows it and I know it.

          Then, the Central Government is to exercise powers of the State Government in case of delays.… (Interruptions)

          That is why, I do not want to take the names.… (Interruptions) Then, there is monopoly for a few over large areas.

          Sir, he has written about the actions, exports and details on captive mining - all these things in detail to the hon. Prime Minister on 21.7.2006. … (Interruptions) I will come to the MoU issue if the land issue was taken for discussion today morning. I would have said on the MoU was signed and how things are going on in Karnataka. I would have proved in this august House these things. … (Interruptions)

          When you have given all these things, did I make any complaint? Fortunately, Shri Kumaraswamy is here. … (Interruptions) How much money has been spent in that constituency not only by this group but the other group? It is about Rs. 30,000 crore. That is not the issue now. 

          Who is Anjaneya, the co-accused? Who is the co-accused? Shri Sadananda Gowda is sitting here. … (Interruptions) Shri Anjaneya is a co-accused when Sunkulamma Devi temple was demolished. The FIR is in my hands. This temple of Sunkulamma Devi was built about 400 years ago. For the benefit of this august House I am just going to show the actual document. … (Interruptions) Please hear me. They want to build Ram Temple. But here, this temple was constructed by the tribal people. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN : Please take your seats.

SHRI H.D. DEVEGOWDA : I will produce all the pictures. These are not taken by me. They are of the Committee which has been constituted which has taken these pictures. These are the steps to go to the temple. The British Survey Report of 1896 is in my hands. It was published then. This is the puja place where the deity is there. All these things are not my creation. It is not my creation. … (Interruptions) The Affidavit filed by the Bellary brothers is here. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN : Hon. Members, you cannot behave like this. He is a senior Member. Please listen to him. Sir, you please continue.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI H.D. DEVEGOWDA: I only want to ask the hon. Minister one thing. Today you have constituted a Commission of Inquiry to go into these matters. Is it to pre-empt our discussion. Why was it done? I will tell you.

THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI B.K. HANDIQUE): Mr. Chairman, Sir, it has nothing to do with this. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN : He is coming to that. Please listen.

SHRI H.D. DEVEGOWDA : Sir, I am asking you. When I wanted to raise this issue in the previous Session your goodself was in the hospital.

SHRI B.K. HANDIQUE : I was ill.

SHRI H.D. DEVEGOWDA : I am not going to say any motive. You were in the hospital. Today, separately the Government of Andhra Pradesh has agreed to an inquiry in an inter-disciplinary team under this Central Bureau of Investigation to go into the irregularities in mining operations. This is the reply that you have sent to me. Under that discussion under Rule 193 you have sent this reply to me.

In that reply, it is stated :

“The State Lokayukta submitted his Report to State Government in December, 2008. The State Government has submitted a compliance report covering all aspects included in the hon. Lokayukta’s Report to the hon. Lokayukta on 9.7.2009. Action Taken Report is at Annexure I. The matter is followed up with the State Government.”   It is your own reply.

          Sir, I would just like to ask your goodself one thing. Because the provocative stance is taken by the Central Government on the issue, there has been a visible action on the ground against illegal mining during the year 2009.  The State Government detected 41,578 cases of illegal mining of minor and major minerals out of which it lodged 989 FIRs and 5,016 court cases. Shri Ananth Kumar, I am giving credit to Karnataka Government of BJP. The State Government further collected Rs. 7,256 lakh as fine from the illegal miners. The State Government also suspended 4,809 mines and cancelled 38 leases. This Action Taken Report is given by the hon. Chief Minister of Karnataka.

The Special Task Force conducted a second round of inspection from 17.4.10 to 27.4.10. They inspected 67 mines and found a series of violations in 18 mines, which were suspended. … (Interruptions) The Government is doing a very good job. The State Government was advised to include the representatives of the Railways, the Ports and the Customs in the State Empowered Coordination Committee, being equal stakeholders in curbing illegal mining. May I ask you, Sir, whether any representative from the Railways, the Ports and the Customs has been included in that so-called Empowered Coordination Committee, which your goodself has suggested? Had that been the case, I would not have opened my mouth. Why? There are five ports. I would mention just few ports – Kakinada Port, Vizag Port and Krishnapatnam Port.

Who is the exporter? It is OMC, OMC and OMC. … (Interruptions) The Sports Minister has already said that if you want to take documents, you can get them under the Right to Information Act. … (Interruptions) You have got that right. … (Interruptions)

श्री सैयद शाहनवाज़ हुसैन : आध्र प्रदेश के एम.पी. बैठे हैं। यह तो आध्र प्रदेश सरकार का सवाल है।...( व्यवधान)

SHRI H.D. DEVEGOWDA : It is not related to Andhra Pradesh Government; it is related to Karnataka Government alone. What is the export? What exactly was loaded on to the vessel, to the ship? What was the load and what was actually transferred?  What is the mode of transportation? It was the railway rakes.

How many times rakes were passing through from Bellary to Kakinada, Vizag or Krishnapattinam and what exactly were the railway rakes filled up with? Is it a one- time movement, two times, or ten times? What has been loaded into the vessel at the port is a matter … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN : He is not yielding. Please take your seat.

SHRI H.D. DEVEGOWDA : Sir, the hon. Member has quoted the Lokayukta. There were more than 4,000 lorries – the Lokayukata Report is there (first report) – and there were nine check-posts, but nowhere, the Lokayukta says, was there anybody to check them. The permits were fabricated. They were duplicated – the seal and everything else.

          Sir, some of my friends are not responsible, I know, but internally, they are feeling bad. It pricks one’s conscience because it is national wealth. It is not my wealth, it is not your wealth, but it is the nation’s wealth. You said that the mines should be nationalized. I wholeheartedly accept it.

MR.CHAIRMAN: Devegowdaji, the Chair does not want to interrupt you. How much more time do you want?

SHRI H.D. DEVEGOWDA : I agree with you, Sir. Recently, the Global Investors Meet was held in Karnataka. I can give you the book that has been circulated to all of us. The highest bidder for a steel plant – the lady is not here – is the wife of one of the Ministers. She was the highest bidder, not even Mittal.

          If somebody is going to be rich, why should it not be a Karnataka man? If that money has been earned legally, I shall garland him. We can all collectively felicitate him. I have no problem; I have no hesitation.

          I have got highest respect to the Leader of the Opposition.

          Sir, why am I telling all this? When we were in Janata Party, I was the only one person who has appeared before the Lokayukta. What has been acted upon in the Karnataka Government? After the first Lokayukta Bill was passed and the present Sikkim Governor was appointed as the Lokayukta, he was the top person, I appeared before him. I bow my head to the law of the land. The only Minister who appeared before the Lokayukta is Devegowda. I have not questioned anybody. Your goodself was one of the General Secretaries of the Janata Party.  I do not want to say anything more.

          I will tell you what the problem in Karnataka today is. There is a political power struggle and naturally that struggle has to be sorted out by the top leaders. I do not find any fault with it. During the power struggle, at that time, some of the officers who have been transferred by the Chief Minister in one month, which was a courageous decision, came back afterwards and things are going on as they were earlier; as it is, things are going on. 

          I would like to tell you, Sir, the total quantum of loss to the States and the Centre is to the tune of Rs.5000 crore. It goes on vessel from ‘x’ port to ‘y’ port of a different country. For the same cargo they give one more invoice and they move it to another country. In that country the same thing is done and then it goes to China where they sell it at say 150 dollars something which got 10 to 15 dollars in India. Who is to enquire into all these things? Can this Commission of Inquiry do it?

          Manmohan Singhji is one of the honest Prime Ministers. Finance Minister is a person who is working hard to solve all the conflicts inside the House and take the House forward. I am watching. I have no regret for this. He is struggling today. Is it possible? Please tell me. Kumaraswamy has constituted the same Commission of Inquiry which was refused by all of us. What is it you have said? “In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 (Central Act 16 of 1952) the Government of India today constituted a Commission of Inquiry.” This was done by Kumaraswamy himself.

          Former Chief Justice of a State High Court, he worked in two States, the Bhat Commission, there is nothing to hide. It is an open document. All those people tried to heckle down Kumaraswamy for Rs.150 crore corruption charges. Our leader has come.

MR. CHAIRMAN : Yes, Devegowdaji, please try to conclude now.

SHRI H.D. DEVEGOWDA : Sir, I normally never try to consume the time of the House.

MR. CHAIRMAN: How much time do you want?

SHRI H.D. DEVEGOWDA : I will close in another ten minutes.

          Your good self have tried your best to see that the party issue is solved. I honestly compliment. Today by this notification what the Government of India wants to do is, the same Commission of Inquiry was constituted by Kumaraswamy and nobody who has made charges on the floor of the House and against the Chief Minister, against the Forest Minister, against the Home Minister. And hon. Leader of the Opposition came and told them to withdraw that case. I have got all the papers. It is a piece of advice. It is up to them. I do not want to question their fighting nature. They came to the Supreme Court and filed a petition asking the matter to be referred to the CBI. … (Interruptions) Now, what has happened in the Supreme Court? They have quietly withdrawn, and the Supreme Court said, “If you want, you go and fight in Karnataka High Court.” We have no problem.  

          The issue today is about the Commission of Inquiry.  Commission of Inquiry is not an answer for nearly more than Rs.5,000 to Rs.6,000 crore has been looted. What has been looted is not an answer.  A Joint Parliamentary Committee should be constituted to enquire into this affair. It is not anybody who has indulged in this. It is some people - whether it is from JD(S), BJP or the Congress – I am not bothered.  I am not at all worried on that. There is a talk of nationalisation. But for what?  Again, where are they going to invest Rs.50,000 crore?  The whole iron ore is going to be nationalised and demarcated to this company, with which they are  capable enough to build a steel plant today. It is not Mr. Mittal who has quoted like that nor any other person who has quoted like that.

I would only request the hon. Prime Minister to discuss this matter in the Cabinet. Hon. Prime Minister  was here. This Commission of Inquiry is a useless eyewash. This country’s wealth, national wealth, is going to be looted by a few individuals.

With these words, I would like to conclude.

MR. CHAIRMAN : For the information of the hon. Members, we have exceeded the time allotted for this discussion.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: We will take up Zero Hour.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: You are not allowed to speak. You please take your seat. This is not going on record.

(Interruptions) …* MR. CHAIRMAN: Hon. Members, please do not try to speak without the consent of the Chair.

          Now, I call Shri Shailendra Kumar.

          All other Speakers, please take five minutes. We have to take `Zero Hour’ also after the conclusion of this discussion.

… (Interruptions)

श्री शैलेन्द्र कुमार (कौशाम्बी):  माननीय सभापति महोदय, आपने  देश के विभिन्न राज्यों में अवैध खनन के बारे में श्री बसुदेव आचार्य और श्री प्रबोद पांडा द्वारा  नियम 193 के अंतर्गत उठायी गई चर्चा पर मुझे बोलने का अवसर दिया, उसके लिये मैं आपका आभारी हूं।

MR. CHAIRMAN: Since there are many speakers, those who want to lay the speeches on the Table, they may do so.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Kumaraswamy ji, you are not allowed. I have allowed a Member. I have given time to a Member. A Member is on his legs. He is speaking. Please understand that a Member is speaking. Please do not interrupt.

… (Interruptions)

श्री शैलेन्द्र कुमार : सभापति जी, खनिज धरोहर का सामूहिक रूप से प्रकृति ने जो उपहार प्रदान किया है, उन पर सभी देशवासियों का सांझा अधिकार है। आज पूरे देश में 28055 अवैध खनन के मामले प्रकाश में आये हैं। इनमे अति महत्वपूर्ण मेजर मिनरल हैं, उन मामलों की संख्या 2496 है और 2006 से 2010 तक 39667.91 लाख रुपये जुर्माना वसूल किया गया। 4179 एफआईआर दर्ज की गई और एक लाख 42 हजार  778 वाहन जब्त किये गये । राज्य सरकार खनिजों के लिये रॉयल्टी वसूल करती है लेकिन अगर पूरे देश के मामले में देखा जाये तो आज राजस्व का नुकसान खनिजों के कारण हुआ है। अगर खनिज के निर्यात पर 3700 रुपये प्रति टन के हिसाब से टैक्स लगाया जाये तो केन्द्र सरकार और राज्य सरकार को बहुत बड़ा फायदा हो सकता है। जहां तक खनिज विकास विनिमय अधिनियम, 1957 की बात है, उस पर संमय समय पर  चर्चा हुई है लेकिन आज यहां नियम 193 के अंतर्गत व्यापक चर्चा हो रही है।

इसमें केन्द्र और राज्य सरकार दोनों की जिम्मेदारी है, इसके लिए दोनों जिम्मेदार हैं। भारतीय खान ब्यूरो ने आठ सदस्यीय कार्यदल गठित किया है, जिसने 106 खानों का निरीक्षण किया है और 60 खानों में प्रचलन बंद हुआ है। माननीय वित्त मंत्री जी की अध्यक्षता में अवैध खनन मंत्री समूह का एक दल गठित हुआ है। यहां पर तमाम माननीय सदस्यों ने कर्नाटक और आध्र प्रदेश की बात हुई, मैं उस पर डिटेल में नहीं जाना चाहूंगा।

          महोदय, मैं आपका ध्यान अपने उत्तर प्रदेश और हरियाणा के बीच में यमुना नदी में बालू के रेत का जो अवैध खनन होता है, उसकी तरफ आकर्षित करना चाहूंगा। लाखों ट्रैक्टर ट्रालियों से बालू जाता है, जिस पर कोई रोक-टोक नहीं है, इससे बहुत बड़ा राजस्व का नुकसान हो रहा है। हमारे उत्तर प्रदेश में खासकर देखा जाये तो मिर्जापुर, चुनार की जो पहाड़ियां हैं, जो हमारी प्राकृतिक सम्पदा की धरोहर थीं, जो पर्यावरण को व्यवस्थित किये हुए थीं, उन्हें पूरे तरीके से नष्ट किया गया है। यह जांच का विषय है और इसमें जांच करायी जानी चाहिए।...( व्यवधान)

श्री दारा सिंह चौहान (घोसी):  यह सब इनके जमाने में हुआ है। आपकी सरकार में खनन मंत्री कौन थे?...( व्यवधान)

MR. CHAIRMAN : Please do not interrupt. Let him speak. We have no time for that.

श्री शैलेन्द्र कुमार : वहां से उस पत्थर का अवैध रूप में खनन हुआ है। मैं चाहूंगा कि केन्द्रीय वन एवं पर्यावरण मंत्री इसकी जांच करायें...( व्यवधान) कि किस प्रकार से ये पत्थर गये हैं और वहां पर ये कैसे लगे हैं।...( व्यवधान) दूसरी बात यह कि यमुना नदी से जो बालू का खनन हुआ है, उसमें बड़े पैमाने पर खनन के कारण तमाम जमीन फट रही है। कभी-कभी यह हमें बहुत झकझोर देती है कि हम प्रकृति के साथ किस तरह का खिलवाड़ कर रहे हैं। यह चिंता का विषय है। ये बालू माफिया, खनन माफिया रॉयल्टी, रवन्ना के नाम पर अवैध टैक्स भी वसूलते हैं। सरकार के पास कोई पैसा नहीं जा रहा है। प्रति ट्रक हजार या पन्द्रह सौ रूपये की अवैध वसूली हो रही है। पूरे देश की बात नहीं, हमारे उत्तर प्रदेश में यह हो रहा है।...( व्यवधान)

श्री दारा सिंह चौहान :  महोदय, इनके जमाने में 150 करोड़ रूपये का नुकसान हुआ था।...( व्यवधान)

श्री शैलेन्द्र कुमार :  महोदय, मुझे याद है कि माननीय मुलायम सिंह यादव जी की सरकार थी, बालू पट्टा, खनन पट्टा, नाव का पट्टा, मछली पकड़ने का पट्टा हमारे जो मल्लाह, बिंद, निषाद लोग थे, यह उनका पुश्तैनी धंधा था, यह उन्हें दिया गया था। अगर आज उसके विपरीत हटकर देखा जाये तो पूरे उत्तर प्रदेश में ये बालू, खनन माफिया सक्रिय हैं। यह जांच का विषय है और इसकी जांच करायी जाये।...( व्यवधान)

श्री दारा सिंह चौहान : ...( व्यवधान) इटावा...( व्यवधान) परिवार के लोग सारे पट्टों के मालिक थे।...( व्यवधान)

MR. CHAIRMAN: You cannot speak like this. The Member is not yielding. Please sit down.

श्री शैलेन्द्र कुमार :  आज इस खनन के कारण हमारा वन क्षेत्र खतरे में है और हमारे जंगली जीव-जन्तुओं के आवास, निवास समाप्त हो रहे हैं। हमारा पर्यावरण असंतुलित हो रहा है। यह बहुत बड़ा खतरा है। प्रकृति के साथ जो छेड़छाड़ हो रही है, यह जांच का विषय है।

          महोदय, मैं आपसे कहना चाहूंगा कि जब उत्तर प्रदेश की बात आती है तो हमारे तमाम सम्मानित सदस्यों को पता नहीं क्या होता है कि ये खड़े हो जाते हैं। वास्तविकता को कोई छिपा नहीं सकता है। आज अगर स्थिति देखी जाये तो पूरे उत्तर प्रदेश में पत्थर मूर्ति पार्क के नाम पर हजारों पेड़ों की कटाई हुई है।...( व्यवधान) उससे पर्यावरण को बहुत बड़ा नुकसान हुआ है। तमाम जीव-जन्तुओं के आवास, निवास इसमें छिपे हुए हैं। मैं चाहूंगा कि इसकी जांच होनी चाहिए।...( व्यवधान) सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने इस पर बाकायदा वन एवं पर्यावरण मंत्रालय को भी नोटिस जारी किया है कि यह किसकी परमीशन पर हुआ है, यह जांच का विषय है।

          मैं आपसे कहना चाहूंगा कि इसकी पूरी तरीके से जांच करायी जाये। 26 परसेंट खनन कंपनियों को मुनाफा देने की बात यहां पर चल रही है। मैं चाहूंगा कि जो स्थानीय निवासी हैं, खासकर जो हमारे आदिवासी हैं, जो वहां से जुड़े हुए हैं, जिनका अपना पुश्तैनी धंधा था, कम से कम उन्हें भी 25 परसेंट फायदा मिले। प्राकृतिक सम्पदा पर सबका अधिकार है, यह नहीं कि... *हों या कोई बड़े माफिया हों, केवल उन्हें फायदा हो। अगर हमारी प्रकृति ने हमें प्राकृतिक सम्पदा दी है तो उस पर सभी नागरिकों का समान रूप से अधिकार होना चाहिए। मैं इन्हीं बातों के साथ अपनी बात समाप्त करता हूं। आपने मुझे बोलने का समय दिया, इसके लिए मैं आपको धन्यवाद देता हूं।

   

MR. CHAIRMAN: We will take ‘Zero Hour’ also. But please wait for some more time.

       

*SK. SAIDUL HAQUE (BARDHMAN-DURGAPUR): It is of grave concern that illegal mining is gradually growing up all over the country. On December 7, 2009 the minister of Mines himself admitted in Rajya Sabha that instances of illegal mining of minerals have come into the notice of the Government in various parts of the country. As per Government report during the year 2009 the state government have detected 58294 cases of illegal mining of major/minor minerals involving an area of 8267,469 Hec; 1409 FIR(s) have been lodged, 7306 numbers of court cases have been filed, out of which 5759 cases have been decided and a total of Rs. 105.06 crores has been collected as fine. This is just a very small part of the huge amount with regard to illegal mining.

          There is central coordination-cum-empowered committee to discuss various issue related to the mining sector including illegal mining and measures to prevent, detect and control it. What is it? As per the information received, 10 State Governments including A.P., Chattisgarh, Orissa, Karnataka & West Bengal have also set up state level coordination-cum-empowered committee.

          India Bureau of Mines has constituted Special Task Force for conducting inspection. It conducted ony two rounds of inspections in about 173 mines in 5 States of Karnataka, A.P., Orissa, Gujarat & Chattisgarh and found various violations in 78 mines and suspended operations there. But in spite of that, illegal mining is growing up.

          As a result of such illegal mining Government is loosing crores of rupees. According to a Senior Government officer the central government suffers an annual loss of Rs.1800 crores annually on account of illegal coal mining by thousands of coal mafia that operate in the country. In cases of illegal iron ore mining Karnataka Government has detected 3027 cases which involves seizure of 3.05 lakh metric tones of ore/minerals. Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde of Karnataka said   that     at least 47 lakh tonnes of iron ore was transported illegally during the   * Speech was laid on the Table year 2007-08 from Karnataka. Opposition leader of Karnataka Assembly claims that out of the total iron ore exported, 70% is done without valid permit. It causes huge losses of government exchequer amounting to cores of rupees. The so called Bellary Scan is worth mentioning here.

          The Rajasthan Government is under the scanner of the Ministry of Environment and Forest for its inability to control illegal mining in the Aravali Hills despite a Supreme Court order to this effect. According to a recent report of the Director of Mines 52 mines continue to function in the Aravali Hills despite a April 2005 Supreme Court order restricting mining in the area.

          Extortion by Maoist from various quarters including the mining sector might be contributing to their funding. The survey report of second administrative reforms commission recommended setting up of special anti-extortion and anti-money laundering cell. The central government in consultation with the state government should come forward to prevent any nexus between naxalite extremists and forest contractors, transporters and illegal mining operators. Even it is seen that money from illegal mining has been spent in election for wining a candidate. This is particularly seen in recent Karnataka and A.P.Assembly election Such things must be stopped. If needed election code of conduct should also be changed to prevent use of such illegal money for election. The role of the Central Industrial Security Force should also be relooked. In some cases it is seen that Central Government security personnel are helping the operators engaged in such illegal mining for lump sum money.

          Illegal mining is also causing environment pollution severely. The mining activities is covered under Provision of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It is also regulated under the Provision of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Water (Prevention and control of pollution) Act 1974 but there is clear violation of such acts in case of illegal mining causing serious health hazards. Worst affected of such illegal mining are the tribals people.

          The Central Government now tells that it is going to amend the Mines & Minerals (Development & Regulation)  Act, 1957 to empower the State Government to take action against illegal mining. But the Union Government can not shirk its responsibility. What the Central Government is proposing in Mining & Minerals (Development & Regulation) Bill, 2008 is to give coal block to private sectors. It will certainly hamper the national interest and in speculative market it will encourage illegal mining.

          Hence I demand that Central Government should take the main responsibility of curbing the illegal mining. It must not give the coal block or mineral resources to private sectors, who are more concerned with profit rather than national interest. So the Central Government to change its policy on mining and should not allowing private companies to loot the resources and export them. The Central Government is, in fact also encouraging the multi nationals to operate in this field. It will be highly detrimental to our national interest.

          In cases where illegal mining activities are established, those mines should be nationalized. The Central Government must stop export of iron ore till a review is conducted of the current mining and minerals policy. I demand that recently happened illegal mining activities and illegal export of iron ore form Karnataka be handed over to the CBI for investigation. The government should initiate probe by CBI and published a paper to show how many politicians or man of high profile are associated directly or indirectly with such illegal mining activities. At the same time the Central Government should frame out a mechanism in consultation with the State Government to stop such illegal mining activities by strengthening the coordination-cum-empowered committee.

                                                                                                               

*SHRI D.V. SADANANDA GOWDA (UDUPI-CHIKMAGALUR): This issue of illegal mining across the country is one of the important subject and needs to be discussed in detail and a solution has to be found immediately. Certainly the negative impact of mining on environment is beyond one’s imagination.  the nefarious activities of mining mafia across the country is damaging the country’s wealth and environment and nearly 1.65 lakh hectares of forest land are looted by mafia activities, by the corporate-political groups are indeed disturbing.

          The experts have warned that if we allow the mining activities to continue at the present rate, it will create large scale migration of the people and create ecological imbalance.  Most of the mining area are locality of livelihood of Tribal people and they need to be displaced and in turn they may join hands with outfits like Naxalities, Maoists etc.  This fact has to be seriously considered while arriving at certain decisions with regard to illegal mining.

          As per the reports that appeared in news papers nearly 15,000 illegal mines are functioning across the country whereas the official licensed owners are only 8700.  This shows to what extent the illegal mining activities are going on in the country.  This is done by the Government in collusion with the illegal mining mafia for the past 25 to 30 years.  Mining has resulted in destruction of forests, water resources and poses great threat to human habitats.  It is well known that mining has never been eco-friendly, rather the toxic byproducts of mining creates pollution and acute health problems.

          You might have read in newspapers that since last two months the whole Karnataka is with the issue of “Illegal Mining”.  Karnataka has got richest and largest quantities of Iron ore in the country and it accounts for 74% Magnetite and 11% Hematite ore.  Since 2003-04 to 2009-10, the permitted mining has gone up from 25.25 lakh tons to 60.71 lakh tons whereas the iron ore export has gone from 45.76 lakh tons to 131.99 lakh tons.  This show that during this period so much illegal mining has been done and exported by Karnataka.

          Now the question is who is responsible for this large scale illegal mining and certainly without hesitation, we can say that it has been done in collusion with the mining mafia at the blessings of the then Governments i.e. Cong (I) & JD(S).  Now, the Cong(I) people in Karnataka, as they are fish out of water, taking up this issue and are on the streets for the faults of their own.

          I would like to bring it to the notice of the Government that the then ruling government in Karnataka i.e. Cong(I) and JD(S) cooperated for looting the iron ore of the State taking farms from private companies and persons.  Not even a single mining was given to the value added productions or governmental undertaking in Karnataka. VISL and Kudremukh are the government undertakings and Zindal & Mukund two private companies who manufacture iron and steel are not given a single inch of mining land and only private parties are given why? They have to answer.  This show the collusion of mining mafia with the Cong(I) & JD(S) in Karnataka.

          Now, the present BJP government led by Yeddyurappaji has decided to ban the export of iron ore and only mining should be done for value added productions thereby lakhs of employment will be created and unemployed youths will get job. The mining will remain for several years and automatically the value of iron & steel in India market will come down.

          Hence, a mining policy by the Centre is  the need of the hour.  The illegal mining should be completely stopped and the mining export should be completely stopped and the mining mafia should be punished thereby the wealth of the country can be saved.

       

*SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI (DHARWAD):Mines and Mineral resources in our country are major natural resources, the extraction of which has been center of focus leading to socio-political unrest there days.

          Going by the contribution of these mining activities and mines industries contribution to GDP of the nation, it is very meager.  Just 2% is its contribution to the GDP.  But it is an admitted fact that the kind of socio-political unrest it has bred and breeding till now is enormous.

          An organization, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) made a thorough study on this subject, it has gone into deep study on the issue of mining in different states of the country.  The report presented a horrifying picture of the devastation brought about by legal and illegal mining in the country.  It has pointed out that in the first four and half decades of the independence, mining had displaced about two and half crore people and that not even 25% of them had been relocated and rehabilitated.

          The report disclosed another strange fact.  It calculated that for every one percent mining sectors contribution to the country’s GDP the activity displaced three to four times more people than all development projects put together.  The report also stated that increase in  mining activity in recent years had led to an increase in the diversion of forest land.

1.64 lakh Hectare Forest land diversion: It is quite disheartening to note that an estimated 1.64 lakhs hectares of forest land has already been diverted for mining in the country Iron ore mining in India used upto 77 million tones of water in 2005-06 which is enough to meet the daily water needs of more than three million people.  Mining of major minerals generated about 1.84 billion tones of waste in 2006, most of which has not been disposed of properly.

Coal is the main culprit :  Every  tonne of coal extracted generates three to four tones of waste.  The report also points out that air and water pollution is also on the rise in the mining hotspot.

According to Sanjay Basu Mulick of the Ranchi based Bindrai Institute of Research Study and Action (BIRSA) and the Jharkhand Mines Area Coordination Committee (JMACC), the spread of Maoist extremism in many parts of the country is the result of this large-scale ravaging of natural resources.  This plunder is leading to growing conflicts in India’s mining zones and informal estimates are that nearly 60 percent of the country’s mineral-rich districts are under the influence of Maoist activity, he says.

Mineral resources are non-reproducible and therefore, the duration for which they can be exploited is limited and the return from mining dwindle as the best quality ores and the most accessible strains are exhausted.

The difficulty is that in most cases, mining, which requires-“extracting” the resource, is destructive of the environment in which it occurs.  Large swatch of land has to be excavated.  If the area has forests, they have to be cleared.  If it is inhabited, the local population has to be relocated and rehabilitated.  If water is required for mining purposes, local water sources must be drained. And if the process of mining releases toxic material, ecological and human damage through pollution of various kinds will occur unless efforts are made to collect those materials and put them to use or they are disposed of safely.

          It is nobody’s case that no mining should occur.  The case is clearly for restricting the extent of mining, keeping in mind the common good and taking into account immediate and long-term costs and returns.  In fact, almost everybody swears by certain principles.

          Ecological sensitive areas should not be mined.  Deforestation should be kept to a minimum. Compensation, relocation and rehabilitation must be organized in ways that are fair.  And pollution should be minimal after abatement.

          It is at the backdrop of this scenario the UPA Government at last realized and sooner or later it has decided to bring a new law on Mines and Minerals activities. It has at last realized that Indian Mining Sector requires some cleaning up and course correction.  The result is M.M.D.R., Bill-2010 (Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Bill). According to one source of information, there are about 2496 illegal minings for major minerals and a whopping 28055 illegal mines for minor minerals.  This being the case still the coal and mines ministers seek fewer regulations in order to boost the economy over the next ten years.

          But, the Forest Ministry rightly points out that in the zeal of achieving economic goals, the deforestation is not justified.  It has reservations against extensive coal minings sacrificing prime forests.  This is the reason why MoEF, wants to impose stringent regulations on coal mines blocks and its allotments.  In this connection, it has brought in the concept of ‘go and no go zones’ where the minings to be monitored. This resulted in stiff resistance by Coal Ministry.  This has led to furore within UPA Govt., and the companies that seek benefits from minings in no go zones.  MoEF has been under severe criticism which is highly deplorable.  According to me the Forest Minister is reported to have stood his ground against the other Ministers initially he seems increasingly pushed to a corner following PMO intervention.  But MoEF reportedly said it is only trying to balance conservation and development.  Responding to the concerns of Ministry of Mines and Coal, it is ironical that PMO has to pressurize MoEF to loosen its knot.

Following this, it is reported that responding the concerns of Mines and Coal Ministries, Principal Secretary to PM., has written to MoEF saying the PMO does not  agree with the definition of no go areas.  In a subsequent meeting called by PMO, the Coal Minister asked MoEF to allow mining in another 30% areas.  Its argument was that ‘No-go-areas’ could be a breeding ground for naxalism.  If this is the face, the PM owes an explanation.

          Why, I am raising these all points is to convey my apprehension. If this is the conflicting reality, how can we expect good from this new law on minings?

          According to me this proposed law should ensure three important aspects.

1)             Illegal mining   

2)             Preservation of forest and environment    

3)             Export of ores and value added production indigenously.   

The objective of this law to achieve the above aspects broadly.  The PMO should realize that it is not the absence of mining in forest areas that breeds Naxalism in the country, indiscriminate and exploitative mining wins supports of Naxalities in tribal areas.  At present, an estimated 1.64 lakhs hectares of forest lands has been diverted for mining.

          If the purpose of this new law is aimed at setting three things right, it is a progressive piece of legislation.  Otherwise, it will prove to be an exercise encouraging and promoting investors and corporates at the cost of forest, people, water and other natural resources for future generation.

     

डॉ. बलीराम (लालगंज):सभापति महोदय, हम जिस देश में रहते हैं, इस देश को सोने की चिड़िया वाला देश कहा है और यह चिड़िया वाला देश इस रूप में है कि यहां पर अकूत प्राकृतिक संपदा है, जिसमें हमारे खनिज पदार्थ आते हैं। हमारे माननीय सदस्यों ने यहां इस बात को उठाया है कि पूरे देश में अवैध खनन का कार्य किया जा रहा है। मैं किसी सरकार की आलोचना नहीं करना चाहता हूं, लेकिन यदि अवैध खनन हो रहा है तो इससे देश और राज्यों के राजस्व में कमी आ रही है, इसलिए ऐसे अवैध खनन पर रोक लगायी जानी चाहिए। अभी मेरे माननीय सदस्य ने कहा है कि बहुजन समाज पार्टी के शासन में अवैध खनन ज्यादा हो रहा है। मैं बताना चाहता हूं कि जिस समय समाजवादी पार्टी की सरकार थी...( व्यवधान)

MR. CHAIRMAN : It is not going on record.  Only Dr. Bali Ram’s submission would go on record.  When you were speaking, I did not allow him.

(Interruptions) … * डॉ. बलीराम : हमारे मित्र ने कहा कि राजस्व की चोरी हो रही है। इनके शासन में वर्ष 2002 में 699 करोड़ रूपये की राजस्व प्राप्ति हुई। जब बहुजन समाज पार्टी की सरकार वर्ष 2000 में बनी तो थोड़े ही दिन में 823 करोड़ रूपये के राजस्व की प्राप्ति हुई, क्योंकि इनके समय में तमाम माफिया थे। सरकार की बजाय माफिया उसकी वसूली करते थे। इससे राजस्व का घाटा हुआ।...( व्यवधान) आज कोई भी सरकार हो...( व्यवधान)

 MR. CHAIRMAN:  Please do not disturb.  Let him speak.  What you are saying is not going on record.  Why are you wasting your time?  You are a leader.  Please do not disturb.

(Interruptions) … * डॉ. बलीराम : सभापति महोदय, हमारे साथी जो आरोप लगा रहे हैं, वह गलत तरीके से लगा रहे हैं। हमारे शासन में निश्चित रूप से जो भी रॉयल्टी आ रही है, वह प्रदेश सरकार को आ रही है, पर्याप्त मात्रा में आ रही है, कोई अवैध खनन नहीं हो रहा है। जहां तक दूसरे प्रदेशों का सवाल है, उसके संबंध में मैं कहना चाहता हूं...( व्यवधान)

 

MR. CHAIRMAN:  Why are you disturbing the House like this?  Nothing other than Dr. Bali Ram is going on record.  You are wasting your time and energy.

(Interruptions) …* डॉ. बलीराम : महोदय, यह चाहते हैं व्यवधान डालना, ताकि हम अपनी बात सही ढंग से न रख सकें।

          महोदय, मैं उत्तर प्रदेश की ही बात नहीं करता हूं। मैं बताना चाहता हूं कि खनिज पदार्थ पूरे मुल्क में मौजूद हैं। मैं विशाखापट्टनम का जिक्र यहां करना चाहता हूं। विशाखापट्टनम में पर्याप्त मात्रा में कच्चा लोहा पैदा होता है।

19.00 hrs.           उस कच्चे लोहे से वहां के लोग दो सौ लाख टन लोहा पैदा करते हैं। उसका जो बुरादा गिरता है, उसे जापान ले जाया जाता है। जो बुरादा बेकार फेंक दिया जाता है, उससे वह दो हजार लाख टन अच्छे किस्म की स्टील पैदा करता है। आज दुनिया में वह सबसे बड़ा निर्यातक देश बना हुआ है।

          सभापति महोदय, मैं आपके माध्यम से कहना चाहता हूं कि अगर हमारी सरकार इसे नम्बर वन पर लाना चाहती है तो इस पर सही मायने में ध्यान दे। यहां पर इतने नेचुरल रिसोर्सेस हैं कि हम भारत को नम्बर वन पर पहुंचा सकते हैं। ये तमाम जो इस तरह के घपल्ले और अवैध खनन हो रहे हैं, उन्हें हमें हर हाल में रोकने की जरूरत है। इससे हमारा देश समृद्धशाली होगा, तरक्की करेगा और हम दुनिया के देशों में नम्बर वन पर हो सकते हैं। इतना कहते हुए मैं अपनी बात खत्म करता हूं।

                                                                                           

DR. KAKOLI GHOSH DASTIDAR (BARASAT): Sir, we see today how hon. Members from different political parties are showing their concern over this very important subject of illegal mining being discussed under Rule 193 in the House. So much so, an hon. Member from the State of West Bengal referred to our former late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi when he said that mining should also be nationalized as banks were nationalized by her. I just wanted to remind him that when she had nationalized the banks, they called her a witch. That, of course, is besides the point. It is good at least that it is better late than never, they have realized what the then Government or the Congress Party has done for the country.

          Sir, I just wanted to bring to the notice of the House through you the fact that by illegal mining who suffer the most are the poor people living in the fringes of the society. The poor people who are living in the fringes have to suffer because they cannot manage two square meals a day; they are not getting health benefits. They cannot send their children to school. A little child, when he or she is sick, it is at that point of time that the father has to enter these illegal mining areas, known as the khadans without any safety measure. He does not have a safety helmet; he does not have lights. All he has is a bird in a cage. If the bird dies on entering the khadan,then that gives him an indication that the oxygen in the area is too low to survive. Many times we have come across news that these poor people living in the fringes have lost their lives while attempting to enter these khadans.But they are being forced to do so because these poor people are not able to run their families. They do not have any work. Who is making them do such things? The mafias, the musclemen are the people who are forcing them to do such things.

          Many hon. Members have been referring to illegal mining in different parts of the country, I would like to refer to my State of West Bengal, particularly of Asansol sub-Division in the district of Burdwan. It is so rampant in the area that the national highway running through these areas are in such a precarious state that any day a big calamity can take place there. The roads might collapse because there is no governance in the State of West Bengal. We know that in areas where mining takes place, those areas would have to be filled with sand and water to take proper precaution so that the roads do not cave in. The areas like Jamuria, Hirapur, Raniganj in the Asansol Sub-Division of West Bengal is totally controlled by the mafias backed by the ruling CPI(M) over there. They allow these mafias to lift coal in thousands of tonnes by sending these poor people living in the fringes of the society. They are made to work throughout the day and night, particularly during the night to cut coal illegally and then such persons have to carry them on a bicycle for 30 to 40 kilometers to sell it to the mafias at the rate of Rs. 65 to Rs. 70 per sack to get medicines for their children at home.

          The Government turns a blind eye. Moreover, the Government gets monetary support from the coal mafias who use the services of these poor people not only to earn money but also during elections  to buy illegal weapons to rig the booths .This is the state of affairs in the State of West Bengal.   So, I wish to raise this issue in this august House through you, Sir.  This illegal digging must stop.  The people living in the areas of Asansol are so scared that any day, a big disaster might take place due to caving in and we are getting some spontaneous fires due to methane gas that comes out in these areas owing to unscientific illegal procedure of digging. So, I also subscribe to the sentiment of the House that this should be brought under direct surveillance of the Central Government and it should be given to the CBI to judge and find out and investigate how the State of West Bengal is supporting the coal mafias in Asansol sub-division so that the people living there can live in safety henceforth.

                                                                                                   

SHRI ADHI SANKAR (KALLAKURICHI): Mr. Chairman Sir, I thank you for giving me an opportunity to speak on the situation arising out of illegal mining in several parts of the country. 

We have always been talking about a comprehensive mineral policy but no such move is in sight.  That is why, we find exploitation of vast natural resources going on unabated.  Our Constitution provides that Parliament can positively act to overcome this issue.

          Mining takes place mostly in hilly terrains and forest areas.  This results in deforestation.  Natural surrounding is disrupted.  The poor tribals in those areas are affected. The mining activity changes the demographic conditions.  Livelihood of people is affected.  Labour class becomes bonded-labour in unfriendly mining conditions.  Mining affects ecology. It also causes environmental pollution. 

When it comes to illegal mining, unlawful elements play a major role. Certain law enforcing authorities join hands with greedy people.  This causes social and economic problems.  It is echoed in politics also.  This is what we witness in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.

          If we take the map of India showing the natural resources along with a map showing the naxal infested areas, we find that both are more or less inter-related.  Mining licences are given by the States.  It calls for land allotment and leasing by the States. The local population must be taken into consideration.  But what happens in reality is different.  The needs of the local people are ignored.  Then law and order problem arises.  This leads to social and political disturbances.

          Illegal mining extends its arms to various other areas.  It results in illegal exports. Violation after violation affects the nation’s economy and also national interest.   There is a case in point.  From Belekari Port in Karnataka, nearly 40,000 tonnes of iron ore was exported on 10th December, 2009.  A similar quantity was exported again on 9th January, 2010. But there is no record available about that export in that port.  It appears that those documents have been destroyed.  What has happened is alarming.  It was not in our Parliament but in Pakistan’s Parliament that things came to light.  This illegal export was made to Pakistan.  It became very clear when a Dubai firm asked for compensation from the Indian exporter.  It is alarming to know that such export of iron ore to Pakistan is banned.  It shows the complicity of officials from both the Centre and the State.  Many people are involved in this illegal mining business.  If we are alert, we can definitely put an end to this problem. For instance, in 2009, a complaint came to the Police Department that four and a half lakh tonnes of coal was illegally mined, moved and exported within 22 days from Rourkela.  It cannot happen in one day.  It takes more than three months to dig that much of coal. It involves thousands of labour. It needs hundreds of trucks.  It has to go through several check posts.  Still illegal mining and exporting was successfully carried out.  This shows the shadow empire run by illegal mining mafia in several parts of the country.

          I would like to stress the need to have industrial activity near the mines.  This will help the mineral ores to be processed.  We must evolve a policy so that our metals and minerals are not exported without being processed and made as finished goods.  This will help us to increase industrial production making use of the natural resources within the country.  This will help to create jobs and strengthen our economy. 

          In Tamil Nadu, under the able leadership of our Chief Minister, Dr. Kalaignar, there is industrial development. Optimum use of mining activities are found there.  So, I urge upon the Central Government to see that the people displaced by the mining activities get adequate relief, compensation and rehabilitation.  I would like to urge upon the Centre that the agriculturists who have given their lands for mining activities in Neyveli and the surrounding areas must get the promised compensation.  Some of the families of the farmers whose lands have been taken over by the Government have not been given jobs yet.

          In Salem, at the behest of our leader Dr. Kalaignar, the Salem Steel Plant came up.  Quality iron ore is available there to make quality steel.  Instead of digging iron ore in the mines there, the Salem Steel Plant buys and procures iron ore from other places.  This gives rise to cost escalation.  Hence, I urge upon the Centre to see that mining activity in the already acquired area is taken up again.

          The Salem Steel Plant must take up project expansion along with the provision to recruit people from the displaced families. Age relaxation up to 35 years and, if necessary, more must be considered because the delay was on the part of the Steel Plant. 

          In Tamil Nadu, due to conducive atmosphere for industrial development and infrastructure growth, construction activities are going on to a considerable extent.  Proper management of sand supply is being managed involving revenue officials.  There is no illegal mining in Tamil Nadu. This only shows that a popular Government there rises to the occasion and helps the people.

          So, every step of the Government in arresting the trend of illegal mining activity must have an overview of things and we must evolve a comprehensive policy.

          With these words, I conclude.

   

ओश्री अर्जुन राम मेघवाल (बीकानेर):  अवैध खनन के ध्यानाकर्षण प्रस्ताव पर मैं निम्नांकित सुझाव ले करना चाहता हूँ-

1)       अवैध खनन के प्रकरण में केवल एक राज्य तक सीमित होने की व्यवस्था के विपरीत सम्पूर्ण देश           को ध्यान में रखते हुए योजना बनानी चाहिये और जाँच एजेन्सीज को सक्रिय किया जाना चाहिये ।     सभी राज्यों के लिए एक जैसी व्यवस्था किये जाने की जरूरत है । पार्टी विवाद से ऊपर उठने की       जरूरत है ।

2)       अवैध खनन के स्थानों पर पुलिस की अतिरिक्त व्यवस्था पेट्रोलिंग के रूप में की जानी चाहिए ।

3)       पर्यावरणविदों की सहायता ली जानी चाहिए  तथा छोटे-छोटे उद्योगों की परेशानी के निस्तारण की           व्यवस्था की जानी चाहिये ।

4)       रेलवे को अवैध खनन के प्रकरण में माल को ढ़ोने से रोका जाना चाहिये ।    

5)       अवैध खनन के मामले में ट्रान्सपोर्ट कम्पनियों को भी कागज देखने का अधिकार होना चाहिये ।   

6)       राज्य और केन्द्र की सभी एजेन्सियों को समन्वय स्थापित कर अवैध खनन को रोकने का प्रयास     होना चाहिए ।     

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

  

     

* Speech was laid on the Table   
  

   

SHRI B. MAHTAB (CUTTACK): Mr. Chairman, Sir, thank you for allowing me to participate in this discussion under Rule 193 relating to illegal mining. Most of India’s minerals are located in India’s peninsular regions, which is five lakh and seventy thousand sq. kms. That is the storehouse of diverse minerals. However, the recent history of mining in India is the story mainly of iron from which we get steel, bauxite from which we get aluminium, and lime stone which is used for cement. These minerals are relatively easy to locate and extract.  Therefore, it is feasible, indeed advantageous, for the steel or aluminium or cement makers to acquire a “captive mine”, set up a plant nearby and use the ore to produce metal or other produce in an integrated manner.  As has been stated, ninety per cent of operational mines are in eleven States, that is Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka.  There are fifty major mining districts.  Of these sixty per cent are in India’s 150 most backward districts.  States are backward but rich in mineral resources. Tapping this comparative advantage should provide the path to progress.  But this has not happened.  Earlier, mining was small-scale and public sector driven, but modern mining is large-scale, mechanised and private sector driven.  

The intention is to reduce costs, but illegal mining is sheer loot of public wealth.  Major mining districts have extensive forest cover and there is diversion of forest land for mining. But we have a governance problem. Instead of blaming one another, let us understand the problem this country is facing today. It is a governance problem.  I am sorry to mention here that hardly we have addressed this issue today.

          Rules and regulations are flouted and there is no enforcement unless countervailing pressure is exerted by courts.  Had mining not been opened up to large scale private sector participation, it is probably the case that illegal mining problem would not have escalated on the scale it has become today. There is a lack of transparency in the award of leases also. I am told the Government has brought together the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) to combat the menace.  I think the hon. Minister would throw some light on this.    I am also told Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra are the six States which have already started using this facility. What about the other States?  We would like to hear from the hon. Minister.  The greater question is: whether the enforcing agencies are utilising the data and taking action against the culprits?  It was observed that there was no system in place to check transport of unauthorized and illegal ore by the Railways. The Railways also did not have a regulatory framework to prevent dumping of illegally raised ore at the railways holdings.  I had raised this issue during the discussion on the Railway Budget. The Orissa Government stopped any loading of iron ore. That is how a report came and it was also reported here in this House while answering a question that “Railways have lost on an average 25 rakes per day during the period of restriction imposed by the Government of Orissa”. This was stated by the hon. Minister of State for Railways, Shri E. Ahamed.  Subsequently, corrective methods were taken and I congratulate the Government and the Ministry relating to this. 

Sir, I would like to quote what the hon. Minister has said:

“To support the effort of state Government of Orissa to check illegal mining, Railways have introduced a new system for accepting indents and loading of iron ore from stations situated in Orissa State. Indent for loading of ores is being accepted by the Railways only if the Forwarding Note has been duly validated i.e. signed and stamped by the Official of the Mining Department of the State Government.  Loading/dumping of iron ore for loading is allowed after the consigner submits the requisite Transit Permit/Pass issued by the Authorized Officials.”   That shows that there was no mechanism prevalent in our country before this issue was raised by the Government of Orissa.

          Then, we come to the port sector because this is one of the transport sectors and Railways are the major transport of ore. The Railway Board, on 16th April, 2010 has notified procedure for loading of ores by Railway wagons.  Therefore, there is a need to have effective coordination and sharing of information between the respective States and the Central Government organizations or agencies. It is essential for efficient mineral administration.  The weakness in the system of regulation arising from lack of coordination is being taken advantage of by miners/traders and they commit this crime of illegality.  

          The Chief Minister of Orissa had requested the Prime Minister since last April to put in place a comprehensive, a regulatory framework. Institutional measures need to be strengthened for coordination between the State Governments and the Central Government agencies like the Railways, Port Authorities, Indian Bureau of Mines and Customs Authorities.

I am told that on the basis of this suggestion from the Chief Minister of Orissa, a Committee of Secretaries chaired by the Cabinet Secretary was held on 20th May, 2010 and a number of suggestions, which were given by our Chief Minister, have been accepted. I would like to know what further steps have been taken in this regard. Further, by way of introducing various reforms in the system of mineral administration, there is a need at achieving greater transparency and efficiency. The Orissa Government had commissioned the Society of Geo-Scientists and Allied Technologists in 2008 to study and submit a plan of action. They have brought out a document called Vision Document 2020.

The Orissa Government have  framed the Orissa Minerals (Prevention of Theft, Smuggling and Illegal Mining and Regulation of Possession, Storage, Trading and Transportation) Rules, 2007. This is being scrupulously enforced upon very effectively. A number of steps have already been taken. Four persons have been apprehended under the National Security Act and the other laws, some persons have been booked under the law and sent to jail . A large number of people have been put behind bars. I am not going into those details. My suggestions are for the consideration of the Government. Using the information technology, every State should digitise mining lease map with a view to delineating the lease boundaries correctly, detect illegal mining and avoid the scope of manipulation.

Before concluding my deliberation, I would like to make it clear that the responsibility to approve mining plan and regulate the production  under the provisions of the MCDR, 1988 lies with the Government. Exceeding the annual production limit by the lessee is a contravention of the provisions of the MCDR, 1988 and calls for penal action as provided in the above rule. To cure the ailment of excess production over the IBM approved annual quantity, there is a need to verify such violation in all the mining leases and renewal mining lease cases. There are two types of leases. The onus lies with the Central Government, that is, the IBM, the Regional Offices which are placed in different mines-bearing States for taking appropriate legal action against violation of IBM approved mining plan. How many cases have been registered? There is a need to have effective deterrent action to stop illegal mining.

          Sir, these are my concluding words. Let us accept that deterrents in law have not stopped illegal mining.  The deterrents that are prevalent today in law have not worked because of lack of teeth. Let us accept that illegal mining is taking place. What is the remedy? What suggestions are we contemplating today? Let us first accept that the deterrents that are available in the law are not being enforced by the enforcing agencies. Instead of blaming each other, let us find out ways how to strengthen it. That should be the concern. Penalties should be increased several fold.

 

          So, the punishment should be made more stringent. Illegal mining amounts to stealing of public property and should be made a non-bailable, cognisable criminal offence. In the mineral-rich States, there should be special courts to deal with this menace.

          With these words, I conclude.

   

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE (BARAMATI): Mr. Chairman, Sir, actually the entire debate has been quite disappointing as Shri Mahtab said, but I think, we are all confused on the thin line between legal mining and illegal mining. I must thank Shri Mahtab for bringing the entire debate on track because the entire debate earlier was about accusations and allegations, but I think mining is way ahead of where this debate has so far been going. The crux of the entire problem has been the loss of revenue to the Government of India due to illegal mining and the money being taken away which is meant for our children and the development of our country. The most critical issue, which has not at all been addressed in this debate so far, is about the displacement of the tribals. I think it is the most challenging problem that we all have every time there is mining. In the newspapers of last two-three days, we have seen these people from various parts of the country come out on the streets and say ‘save our lives, save our land’ because, I think, that is the only asset they have.

          Sir, as far as legal mining and illegal mining are concerned, let us first differentiate between legal mining and illegal mining. I do not think any of us are against mining. It is very important for our development. We must look at how it can help us and become an asset. But the biggest challenge actually for all of us with mining – I take the point forward which Shri Mahtab raised – is about the pollution that it creates. Let us look at the all the rivers starting from Zuari, Mandovi, Kali, Tungabadra in the entire Western Ghat. Most of these rivers today are polluted because of mining. You see what the Government of Goa has done. They have a monitoring agency in Goa just because of pollution and because of this pollution, the entire illegal mining is moving into our State of Maharashtra which never had illegal mines. There are many States today which are not even discussed like Gujarat. Gujarat has a whole lot of illegal mining going on. Along with the States of Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Orissa, the Government should include Maharashtra and Gujarat in it because there is a lot of illegal mining happening in both these States and we are all very concerned about it.

          Besides that, our dams in these areas are affected. Our objection to this illegal mining is that all our irrigation projects are getting affected. The siltation that happens is going to be a huge problem. Then, the ground water level in most of these areas is affected. When there is a mine, the entire area of 10 kms. around that mine, the ground water, the irrigation, the bio-diversity etc. are all affected. If you make some reports from these areas, in the last 30 years, wherever there has been mining, the Human Development Index is the lowest in the country because the agricultural activity comes down. In most places, the panchayats are opposing it. But there is no cognisance being taken about it. I think it is a very serious concern for most of us who are concerned about the environment, agriculture and food security that we all keep talking about.

          Sir, I would like to make few suggestions to the hon. Minister. We really need to look at the children who are involved in illegal mining. In Rajasthan and Karnataka, 7 per cent of child labour is in mining. The entire unorganised sector of labour that we talk about is also in mining. We should not just protect them by giving proper salaries to them. But silicosis and immunocosis are two major ailments which are occupational hazards in the entire mining industry and there is nobody to back them up once they have these diseases. There is no prevention, there is no compensation and there is absolutely no monitoring system of any of the health hazards in the entire mining industry.

          I am thankful to the hon. Minister who, yesterday, in his reply, in the Rajya Sabha and today even in Lok Sabha, talked about the Relief and Rehabilitation Policy and he himself has admitted in his reply during the Question Hour that he needs a new law which includes doctors, crèches, toilet facilities which have been asked in the last mining legislation, but in the new law he wants to upgrade it. So, I am very hopeful that he does implement all this.

          The other thing which we need to concentrate on is to have a comprehensive and rapid environment impact assessment because most times, in a project like mining, we take only take one season for assessment. Most of the times, what happens is, if you take only one season, you go into the summer, there is no water, everybody thinks that it is a non-fertile land and we can go ahead with mining.

That is completely wrong.  We need four seasons’ assessment.  So when you have an entire year’s assessment done, you really know whether that area is fertile or not fertile and what the ground water level is. That is extremely critical.

          The other point is cumulative impact assessment. A lot of times you give mines to little people.  When they are less than a certain amount of Government of India’s requirement, people do not need licences.  What they do is, they divide the entire mine into smaller pieces so that they are not accountable to the State or the national Government and hence illegal mining takes place.  So, if you take a cumulative impact of the entire assessment, I think that will definitely bring in some control on illegal mining as well as the damage it is doing.

          The other big thing that can be done is brownfield expansion to greenfield conservation.  A lot of times, we make pockmarks, honey mark.  If you have an entire area, say it is about 1000 hectares, you give one licence to one person and the next slot the next and so on. So each one is mining in little little areas.  So the entire area becomes brown.  Instead of doing that, if you at brownfield expansion in one, exploit it totally and then move to the next one, so by the time you finish and come back to the origin, the entire land has again, sort of, recuperated itself and has become fertile again.  We have to stop honeycombing of our forests and the National Forest Policy 1998 says about this.  So, I think, that is certainly not getting implemented. 

          Another point which even the hon. Minister talked about in his reply, which is not happening, is the mine closure clause. Nobody closes the mines in the rulings that are there.  If you look in places like Australia, mining is one of their most crucial businesses which helps their GDP.  But there, you do not hear any such discussions because of mine closure clause. It is important as per the Mineral Conservation and Development Plan 1988.  So, I think, unless we address this issue, I do not see a change in all these things.

          Lastly, land is a legacy for these people who lived as tribals in their past, it is the provider of their present, and security for the future.  So, let us not play with lives.  I do not think we have any business in doing this whether legally or illegally.  I appeal to the Government that – there is displacement – we need the iron ores but we must conserve all our assets because these are all our natural assets which never will be replenished if we do not care. 

   

श्री रतन सिंह (भरतपुर): सभापति महोदय, आपने इस विषय पर बोलने का मौका दिया, इसके लिए मैं आपका आभारी हूं।

          अवैध खनन एवं खनन माफिया देश की बहुत बड़ी समस्या है, इससे देश की सामाजिक व आर्थिक स्थिति पर बहुत विपरीत प्रभाव पड़ रहा है। अपराधों में वृद्धि हो रही है, देखने में आया है कि कई प्रदेश जैसे कर्नाटक, उड़ीसा, आध्र प्रदेश में अवैध खनन का कारोबार तीव्र गति से हो रहा है। ओएमसी कंपनी ने प्रति वर्ष सात से आठ मिलियन टन अवैध आयरन ओर का खनन किया है, जिसकी अनुमानित लागत लगभग 4000 करोड़ रुपये है। कर्नाटक विधानसभा में प्रश्न के उत्तर में बताया गया कि वर्ष 2008-09 और वर्ष 2009-10 में क्रमशः 33.96मिलियन टन एवं 71.27 मिलियन टन अवैध खनन किया गया। कर्नाटक  में ओवलापुरम खनन कंपनी, ओएमसी द्वारा 79.70 लाख टन आयरन ओर एक्सपोर्ट किया, जबकि वास्तविक तौर पर उनकी लीज्ड माइन्स से केवल 40 प्रतिशत ही आयरन ओर प्राप्त हुआ। शेष 60 प्रतिशत आयरन ओर अवैध खनन से आया, कर्नाटक बॉर्डर से आया या कहां से आया, यह जांच का विषय है। जब राम मंदिर बनाने का इश्यू भारतीय जनता पार्टी लेकर चली, वहीं कर्नाटक में सुगलम्बा देवी के मंदिर को तहस-नहस कर दिया गया अवैध खनन के लिए, जिसकी रिपोर्ट डीएनए एजेंसी ने 9/8/10 को की। ...( व्यवधान) कर्नाटक सरकार ने इस पर कोई कार्रवाई नहीं की। एक कंपनी ...( व्यवधान)  ओ. एम. सी . जो दस लाख रुपये की राशि से बढ़ी थी, वह आज कारपोरेट सेक्टर में बहुत जाइन्ट पोजीशन में है अवैध खनन के द्वारा। ...( व्यवधान)

श्रीमती जे. शांता (बेल्लारी):यह बात सही नहीं है।...( व्यवधान)

MR. CHAIRMAN : This is not going on record.

(Interruptions) …* श्री रतन सिंह : एक्सपोर्ट से ओएमसी ने फेमा गाइडलाइन्स का भी उल्लंघन किया है।...( व्यवधान)

MR. CHAIRMAN : This is not going on record.

(Interruptions) …* श्री रतन सिंह : इससे 300 करोड़ रुपये की टैक्स चोरी हुई है। अवैध खनन माफिया के कर्नाटक, झारखण्ड, उड़ीसा में सीधे नक्सलवादियों के संबंध बने हुए हैं।

   

झारखंड पुलिस की रिपोर्ट अक्तूबर 2009 में यह स्पष्ट बताया गया है कि अवैध खनन माफिया एवम् नक्सलवादियों के द्वारा ही नियंत्रित होती है और ये लोग साथ मिले हुए हैं। इस अवैध खनन के कारोबार की सीबीआई या पार्लियामेंट की जेपीसी से जांच कराई जाए एवम् राजनैतिक रोल जो भी है, उसे सामने लाया जाए।

          राजस्थान में भी खनिजों के पर्याप्त भंडार हैं। वहां भी खनन में कई कठिनाइयां आ रही हैं। भगवान श्री कृष्ण ने सभी मजदूर और किसान वर्ग को रोजगार देने का पक्ष लिया, परंतु उनके नाम का गलत उपयोग करके कुछ स्वार्थी लोग विभिन्न प्रकार के आंदोलन करते हैं, जिससे खनन कार्यों पर विपरीत प्रभाव पड़ता है। इससे लाखों मजदूर बेकार हो गए हैं। मेरा आपके माध्यम से माननीय खनिज मंत्री जी से निवेदन है और आग्रह है कि राजस्थान के बृज चौरासी कोस क्षेत्र और रूपवास क्षेत्र में खनन की जमीनी हकीकत को देखते हुए जनोपयोगी नीति बनाई जाए, जिसके अनुकूल खनन हो और लाखों मजदूरों को रोजगार मिले एवम् अवैध खनन माफिया पर रोक लगे। इससे अपराधों में भी कमी होगी।

          मेरा आपके माध्यम से मंत्री जी से निवेदन है कि मजदूरों एवम् उनके परिवारों की समुचित उपचार व्यवस्था, पानी, बिजली एवम् शिक्षा की उच्च व्यवस्था की जाए, जिससे मजदूरों का सामाजिक विकास संतोषजनक हो सके। अवैध खनन रोकने के लिए एक प्रभावी राष्ट्रीय नीति बनाई जाए। उसकी पालना सुनिश्चित कराई जाए, जिससे राष्ट्रीय क्षति जो हो रही है एवम् अपराधों में वृद्धि हो रही है, वह रुके। इसके साथ ही आर्थिक एवम् सामाजिक क्षेत्र पर जो अवैध खनन से प्रभाव हो रहा है, उसे हम बचा सकें।

                                                                                                               

DR. M. THAMBIDURAI (KARUR): I am thankful to you, Mr. Chairman, Sir, for giving  me this opportunity to participate in the discussion  on illegal mining in various States of our country.

         Everybody knows that India is a rich country with vast mineral resources. But unscrupulous fellows are exploiting them. Through illegal mining they take away this wealth and become rich.  This is happening. Most of the hon. Members have expressed their views in this regard.  Nobody denies that there is no illegal mining taking place.  Everybody accepts that illegal mining is going on in many parts of the country especially in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand.  This has become a menace. What these unscrupulous mafias are doing is that after getting a lot of money, they are entering politics.  They control the whole politics also. That is the sad thing, which is happening in our country.

          The democracy is at peril. With the money power and muscle power, these unscrupulous people are seeing as to how to come to power and try to control the whole political system, which concerns everyone. We have to think very seriously about this matter, especially about the iron ore, as to how they are exporting through various ports. Even illegal coal is also being exported through several places. We have all discussed it.

          Sir, the country is having a mechanism to control the illegal export. The port authorities can easily see as to how the ore is being transported from one place to the other place. As my colleague, Shri. Ananth Kumar said, we may see as to how many tonnes of ore is  taken away at a certain place and at the same time, how much of it is getting exported. The difference there, would tell us as to how much illegal mining is taking place.

          Sir, this is a very serious matter.  I would request all the hon. Members to see as to how to control this problem. The hon. Minister has already said that he is going to bring  about a legislation to stop exporting iron ore  because the value added  things are very important.  We have to create a lot of employment opportunities. When China was conducting the Olympic Games, most of the iron ore was exported from India to that country. Similarly, in Japan also a lot of iron ore was being exported from our country.  They are making so many fine products with that iron ore and selling them back to our country.  I remember those days when Anna used to mention in the public meetings: For making this mike with which we are speaking, the ore went from India to Japan.” They are producing fine products and selling them to our country. 

 

          Therefore, as said, it takes Rs.350 one time to take and export the ore but we are giving Rs.5,000 or Rs.10,000 to purchase the product from that ore. That is our fate. Therefore, as some other Member has said, we have to see that value addition must be given to all the natural resources. That way we have to become a very rich country.

          Today, we have seen it in the newspaper that China has become the second largest value adding country in the world. Even Japan has got the third place. It is because in such a way, most of the natural resources are properly utilised there and they are developing their countries.

At the same time, I come to water resources. It is because of the illegal sand mining, the water resources are coming down. Even the hon. Member just now said, because of this kind of illicit sand mining, the rivers are polluted. We are already facing a drinking water problem. But at the same time we see that some of the anti-social elements are resorting to illegal sand mining. They are taking many loads of sand because the licence is given. So, to some extent, they can use sand mining but some people are exploiting.

What happens actually is that some people—I am not saying all the people are involved—in public life, in the name of benamis, their PAs or in somebody’s name, amass wealth. Even those days they used to write the land in the name of dogs in order to avoid the ceiling law, to get away with the ceiling and then they used to sell the land.  In the same way, what some people are doing is that they not only want to be in public life but at the same time they also want to amass wealth. For that, they are taking the licence in someone’s name like their PAs and some other kind of persons, and they are doing this.

This is what is happening in Tamil Nadu. Our hon. Member said that there was no illegal sand mining in Tamil Nadu. But there is a lot of illegal sand mining. The illegal sand mining has changed or damaged the river system like deepening of river beds, widening of rivers, depletion of the ground water table, degradation of ground water quality, reduction in bio-diversity and so many other things, especially, it affected the rivers in Tamil Nadu.

He said there is no illegal mining. It is because of that the rivers were affected in Tamil Nadu which include the rivers of Palar, its tributaries like Cheyyar, Araniyar, Kosuthalaiyar, Cauvery, Bhavani, Vellar, Vaigai and Thamirabarani. These are all the affected rivers. Now-a-days we are not getting sufficient rains and also water is not coming in the rivers. But what is happening is that all these rivers are used for illegal sand mining and because of that, water is coming down and irrigation is affected. When water is coming, at that time if the sand is there then only it gets filtered … (Interruptions)

SHRI ADHI SANKAR : All those rivers were affected during the Jayalalithaa regime.… (Interruptions)

SHRI S. SEMMALAI (SALEM): No. Whoever it may be, now you accept you are doing the same thing.… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN : Please take your seat.

SHRI S. SEMMALAI (SALEM): All the sands in all the rivers are looted by DMK people.… (Interruptions)

SHRI A.K.S. VIJAYAN (NAGAPATTINAM):          What about the Granite mining case which is pending in the court ?

MR. CHAIRMAN: Please take your seat. You have made your point.

DR. M. THAMBIDURAI : Let me complete. It is enough. Leave it to me.

          What I want to say is that I have mentioned about all the rivers. What is happening is that so many people have taken the licences. Actually, our Madam Jayalalithaa Ji brought a legislation so that all the sand lifting is done by the Government because then only we could get  good revenue. Because of her effort, the Government got revenue. What is happening now is that the licences are taken in some benami’s name and they are exploiting. They are illegally exporting. For example, I want to say what is happening in my constituency. … (Interruptions)

          Please protect me.

SHRI S. SEMMALAI: Can I mention the name?

MR. CHAIRMAN: Please take your seat. At least, you do not object to your own Party Member.

DR. M. THAMBIDURAI : I want some protection. I want to bring one serious matter before this House MR. CHAIRMAN: I am requesting your Party Member not to obstruct you.

DR. M. THAMBIDURAI : In the recent Lok Sabha elections, I contested from Karur constituency. Everybody knows that. The man, an ex-MP, has taken the licence in benami’s name. Daily, nearly 5,000 loads of sand are going from Cauvery River.

It goes to Kerala State, Karnataka State and also they are exporting. … (Interruptions) I have not mentioned any name.

MR. CHAIRMAN : He has not mentioned any name. Please take your seat.

… (Interruptions)

DR. M. THAMBIDURAI: If at all you are deriving that name, I cannot say anything. Daily five thousand lorry loads are going from Cauvery. Cauvery has gone down. Whether Karnataka is allowing water or not, at least with the sand exploited by a single person, daily he is collecting Rs.5 crore. … (Interruptions)

I am not taking the name of any particular person. I have not mentioned any name. I am simply saying that in the name of the mine that he has got, he is exploiting and also exporting sand to Maldives. This way, with the money power they want to win the election. This is the way democracy is being downgraded there. Depending on money and muscle power, sand mining is going on.

          Coming to the granite, it is a big industry in Tamil Nadu. What is happening? In Melur, illegal mining is going on. When a section of the Press is publishing about it, immediately they are filing cases against them and arresting them. This way, the State Government is using its power to control all these things and also supporting the sand miners and granite miners. That way they have amassed wealth. … (Interruptions)

          No action is being taken against them. They are saying that they know big persons, they have persons at high level, they can save them. Because they are not bothered about all these things, this kind of illegal sand mining is taking place. It is also because of the connivance of high persons in power. … (Interruptions)

          Land miners are entering politics by taking political advantage. They are exploiting the resources spoiling the whole atmosphere. What is happening now-a-days in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu is that because of money and muscle power, democracy is taking a downturn.

          With these words, I conclude.

ओश्री हर्ष वर्धन (महाराजगंज, उ.प्र.): माननीय सभापति जी, देश में अवैध खनन से संबंधित इस प्रकरण का सीधा संबंध प्राकृतिक संपदा की लूट और भ्रष्टाचार से है। करोड़ों वर्षों से प्रकृति द्वारा संरक्षित अयस्कों को कौड़ियों के मोल में लेकर हजारों करोड़ की संपत्ति बनाने वाले खनन माफियाओं द्वारा यह लूट बिना सत्ता और राजनैतिक संरक्षण के संभव ही नहीं है।

          उत्तर प्रदेश में बालू खनन के क्षेत्र में एक समानान्तर व्यवस्था सरकारी संरक्षण में प्रति ट्रैक्टर ट्राली 200/- एवं प्रति ट्रक कम से कम 500/- की धन उगाही सरकार द्वारा निर्धारित शुल्क के अलावा करने के पश्चात ही उन्हें खनन स्थल से बालू लेकर जाने देती है। यह समानान्तर व्यवस्था को टालने वाले स्थानीय माफिया, सत्तारूढ़ दल के चिन्हित राजनेता और जनपद के जिलाधिकारी एवं पुलिस अधीक्षक की तिकड़ी है। मेरी चुनौती है कि संपूर्ण उत्तर प्रदेश में प्रतिदिन करोड़ों रूपयों की इस वसूली से लाभ उठाने वालों की श्रृंखला में जहां नीचे के स्तर पर यह तिकड़ी है, वहीं इसके शीर्ष पद शीर्षस्थ राजनेता हैं। यह स्थिति अत्यंत गंभीर है। यही स्थिति मिर्जापुर एवं चुनार की पहाड़ियों में पत्थर के खनन क्षेत्र में भी है। यह क्षेत्र भी खनन माफियाओं और उन्हें संरक्षण देने वाली राजनेताओं की मिलीभगत के चलते इस प्राकृतिक संपदा से वंचित होता जा रहा है।

          देश में लौह अयस्क, लिगनाइट आदि बहुमूल्य अयस्कों के हजारों टन का अवैध खनन करने के पश्चात उनका निर्यात किया जाना स्थिति की गंभीरता और भयावहता दोनों को ही दर्शाता है। अवैध खनन का यह प्रकरण वर्तमान स्थिति तक इसलिए भी पहुंचा है कि अपराधियों को कठोर दंड देने का प्रावधान वर्तमान में कानून में नहीं है। अवैध खनन के मामले में कठोर दंड का प्रावधान कर खनन माफियाओं पर रोक लगाने की आवश्यकता के साथ ही इस संबंध में जन चेतना का जागरण कराया जाना भी आवश्यक है।

     

* Speech was laid on the Table     श्री नामा नागेश्वर राव (खम्माम):सभापति महोदय, मैं प्रार्थना करना चाहूंगा कि गैर कानूनी खनन का विषय पिछले नौ महीने से बीएसी में बात करने के पश्चात् आज माननीय सदन में चर्चा के लिए आया है। पहले तो सदस्यों ने स्पोर्ट नहीं की थी, लेकिन बाद में कुछ सदस्यों द्वारा स्पोर्ट करने के बाद सदन में आज इस विषय पर चर्चा हो रही है। इसे गैर कानूनी खनन थ्रेट टू दि डेमोक्रेसी बोल कर श्री चंद्रबाबू नायडु नेशनल लेवल पर लाए। मैंने इस इश्यु में लगातार कई बार नोटिस दिया है। हमें थोड़ा ज्यादा समय बोलने के लिए दे दीजिए।

MR. CHAIRMAN: No, no. You can take only three minutes. You have already taken one minute. There are so many Members to speak. This is no justification. Please conclude in three minutes.

श्री नामा नागेश्वर राव :सभापति महोदय, ऐसा मत कीजिए। मुझे बोलने के लिए थोड़ा ज्यादा समय दे दीजिए।

MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Nageswara Rao, we have thirty Members for the ‘Zero Hour’ submissions. There are another five Members to speak on this.

श्री नामा नागेश्वर राव :महोदय, मेरे संसदीय क्षेत्र की प्रोब्लम है।

MR. CHAIRMAN: You cannot argue like this. You have to cooperate. Take only three minutes and finish. If you want to speak, take three minutes and conclude. Otherwise, I will call the next speaker.

श्री नामा नागेश्वर राव :गैर कानूनी खनन द्वारा देश की पूरी सम्पदा लूटी जा रही है। इसे कंट्रोल करने की जिम्मेदारी सरकार की होती है।  आयरन ओर, बाक्साइट, सैंड, कोल, ग्रेनाइट आदि में गैर कानूनी खनन हो रही है। इसे रोकने की बहुत जरूरत है। सदन में चर्चा होने के बाद सरकार इस बारे में तुंत एक्शन ले। अभी हम लोग देखें कि जिस तरह से पूरे देश में अवैध खनन हो रही है, उसी तरह से हमारे आध्र और कर्नाटक बॉर्डर में पूरी अवैध खनन हो रही है। आज के दिन में देखें तो अभी कोई बॉर्डर नहीं है। हम लोग पाकिस्तान और चाइना के बॉर्डर को आइडेंटिफाइ कर सकते हैं, मगर कर्नाटक और आध्र के बॉर्डर को आइडेंटिफाइ नहीं कर सकते हैं। बॉर्डर नहीं है। यह पूरा रिजर्व फॉरेस्ट एरिया है। उसमें पूरा आयरन ओर है। आयरन ओऱ को निकालने के लिए बॉर्डर्स को पूरा खत्म कर दिया गया है। अभी सरकार ने बॉर्डर को आइडेंटिफाइ करने के लिए ऑर्डर भी दे दिया। सर्वे ऑफ इंड़िया को सरकार ने बॉर्डर आइडेंटिफाइ करने के लिए कहा है। उसको आइडेंटिफाइ करने के लिए उधर जाने के लिए पूरा माफिया है, और प्राइवेट आर्मी है। उधर जाने के लिए सर्वे ऑफ इंडिया लेट दिनांक 4/9/09 के मुताबिकः  “The Home Secretary of the Government of India was also approached who has intimated that no PMF cover can be provided for the detachments of Survey of India displayed for the job and has further advised us to seek support from A.P. Government.”   उसका प्रौटैक्शन करने के लिए पूरा पुलिस बंदोबस्त करके बॉर्डर में जाना पड़ रहा है। टोटल एरिया को अवैध खनन में कवर करके माफिया लोगों ने प्राइवेट आर्मी लगा रखी है जिससे अंदर भी नहीं जा पा रहे हैं। इसके बारे में फॉरेस्ट के आफिसर्स बहुत दफा उधर गये हैं लेकिन जाने के बाद भी कोई रिजल्ट नहीं आया है। इस सम्मानित सदन में पूर्व प्राइम मिनिस्टर साहब ने जैसा बताया था, उसमें सनकुलामा मंदिर है, उस मंदिर को इन लोगों ने ब्लास्ट कर दिया। उसके नीचे खनन हो रही है। उसकी वजह से मंदिर को ब्लास्ट करके वहां भी अवैध खनन हो रही है और सीईसी की एक रिपोर्ट थी। इस रिपोर्ट में बहुत ही स्पष्ट कहा गया था कि अवैध खनन को रोककर तुंत ही बॉर्डर आइडेंटिफाइ किया जाए, तब भी स्थिति कंट्रोल में नहीं आ पा रही है।

MR. CHAIRMAN: Please do not interrupt. Please take your seat.

… (Interruptions)

श्री नामा नागेश्वर राव : सम्मानित सदन के ध्यान में सब लोग इस बात को लाना चाहते हैं कि अवैध खनन, अवैध माफिया के साथ अगर सरकार को सपोर्ट करने है तो देश को कितना नुकसान होता है। उसमें अगर हमारी सरकार ने एक 151 और 152 जी.ओ. दिया है। उस जी.ओ. के अंदर अगर आप देखें तो एक टन आयरन ओर के लिए सिर्फ 4 रुपये दे रहे हैं। This is the royalty that the Government is taking.  आज तो देश में मिट्टी की भी रॉयल्टी बहुत ज्यादा है। मगर आयरन ओर के लिए 4 रुपये देकर जी.ओ. नं. 151 और 152 सरकार ने दे दिया है। सरकार की सपोर्ट की वजह से अवैध खनन बहुत ज्यादा बढ़ गई है। इसको कंट्रोल करने की बहुत जरुरत है। अभी देश में आयरन ओर को देखें तो 130 मिलियन टन्स का आयरन ओर एक्सपोर्ट हो रहा है। उसको अगर हम लोग अपने देश में प्रोसैसिंग करते तो वैल्यू एडीशन करने से हमारे देश में रेवेन्यू काफी बढ़ सकता है और आज के दिन में 130 मिलियन एक्सपोर्ट हो रहा है। मिनिस्टर साहब सदन में बैठे हैं। मिनिस्टर साहब ने अभी इस हाउस में कहा है कि हमारे पास टैक्नोलॉजी नहीं है, इसलिए एक्सपोर्ट कर रहे हैं। It is very unfortunate for the country. हम लोगों के पास टैक्नोलॉजी है,  हमारे पास सब कुछ है, तब भी मंत्री जी एक्सपोर्ट करने के लिए एलाउ कर रहे हैं। इसकी वजह से देश को रेवेन्यू में काफी नुकसान हो रहा है। इसीलिए एक्सपोर्ट को तुंत रोकना चाहिए।  कर्नाटक मंत्री जी ब्राहमनी स्टील प्लांट लगाएंगे, यह कहकर उन लोगों के कुछ माइन्स लिये हैं। उन माइन्स में भी...( व्यवधान) सभापति जी, आपके निर्देश से ...( व्यवधान) * MR.CHAIRMAN: You cannot raise this issue now.  Please complete.

श्री नामा नागेश्वर राव :सभापुति जी, आप हमें प्रोटैक्ट करिए। बोलते वक्त मैंने पानी मांगा तो मना किया गया। हमने जब पूछा तो बताया गया कि आपको पानी नहीं देने के लिए कहा है।...( व्यवधान)* हम भी तो ईक्वल हैं। हम भी तो मैम्बर ऑफ पार्लियामेंट हैं। हमें आपका प्रोटैक्शन चाहिए।...( व्यवधान)

श्री नामा नागेश्वर राव :महोदय, ब्राहमणी स्टील के लिए भी कुछ कैप्टिव माइन दी है।...( व्यवधान) कैप्टिव माइन के लिए अभी...( व्यवधान)

MR. CHAIRMAN : Shri Nama Nageswara Rao, you can take your seat and drink water.

श्री नामा नागेश्वर राव :महोदय, मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि अगस्ट हाउस में मिनिस्टर साहब ने दो बार गलत बात बोली है,...( व्यवधान) हमने पहले एक बात टेक्नोलॉजी के बारे में बता दी। दूसरी बात बोली है कि हमने कभी भी कैप्टिव माइन नहीं दी है। हमने नियम 377 में नोटिस दिया था, हमें उसका रिप्लाई आया है और उसमें कहा गया है कि हमने कंपनी को कैप्टिव माइन नहीं दी है। यह गवर्नमेंट का पेपर है, हम मिनिस्टर को यह पेपर ले करेंगे और इसमें क्लियर कट लिखा है कि प्रज्ञप्ति के साथ कंपनी को आयरन ओर्स अलॉट हुए हैं।...( व्यवधान) आज तक अलॉट होने के बाद एक टन भी स्टील प्रोडक्शन नहीं हुआ है।...( व्यवधान) पांच साल से ओर एक्सपोर्ट कर रहे हैं।...( व्यवधान) इसे रोकने की बहुत जरूरत है। ...( व्यवधान)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Rao, you have taken seven minutes. Please take your seat.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: No, please. You conclude in one minute. I will call the next speaker.  … (Interruptions)

श्री नामा नागेश्वर राव :महोदय, मुझे दो मिनट का समय दीजिए।...( व्यवधान) आंध्र प्रदेश मेंहमारे जिला के कांस्टीटुंसी में वयारम और नालाकोंडापल्ली खम्माम डिस्ट्रिक्ट में है। गवर्नमेंट ने खम्माम के लिए एपीएमडीसी के द्वारा चार मंडल में।...( व्यवधान) 1,47,000 एकड़ लैंड दी है। इस तरह से गवर्नमेंट अवैध खनन को सपोर्ट करेगी तो देश को कौन बचाएगा? इस देश को बचाने वाला कौन है?...( व्यवधान) एक जीओ देता है...( व्यवधान)

SHRI B.K. HANDIQUE: Sir, there is a rule under the MMDR Act that the State Government can ask for reservation. So, reservation is allowed. We gave the reservation to the Government of Andhra Pradesh for A.P. Mineral Development Corporation. Reservation means merely blocking the area for a certain length of time . … (Interruptions) We are not giving anything. Moreover, in that particular case, they have already asked for re-surveying and re-delineation of the boundary. We have already processed that. If you want re-delineation of the area, then it is a new area. So, that old proposal gets revoked. It is revoked. Recently, it was done. They have to give a new proposal with a new area.

It is not that it is going to one person. Probably, he does not know. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: No argument. Please take only one minute and finish.

… (Interruptions)

श्री नामा नागेश्वर राव :हम एक्सेप्ट नहीं करते हैं।...( व्यवधान)मिनिस्टर अभी भी गलत बोल रहे हैं।...( व्यवधान)

सभापति महोदय :  आप बैठिए।

…( व्यवधान)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Hon. Minister, please take your seat.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Rao, please be calm and quiet. All are listening to you. Why are you getting so angry?

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: You are not allowed to speak. You take your seat.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: We are showing consideration to senior Members. Shri Rao, you are a party leader. So, instead of three minutes, I have given you eight minutes.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Please understand. You cannot misbehave like this.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: You are questioning the Chair.

… (Interruptions)

DR. N. SIVAPRASAD (CHITTOOR): This is a burning problem. Please allow our leader to speak. … (Interruptions)

SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY: Why do you shout? Your leader is there. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Your party leader is speaking. Why do you want to encroach into his time? If you shout like this, I will call the next speaker. Otherwise, Shri Rao can conclude in one minute.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: If you disturb any more, I will call the next speaker. Take your seat please. You take your seat.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: I say that you take your seat.

… (Interruptions)

श्री नामा नागेश्वर राव :मैं कन्कलूड कर रहा हूं।...( व्यवधान)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Now Shri Prabodh Panda will speak.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: No, you are not allowed.

          Shri Prabodh Panda.

 (Interruptions) … * MR. CHAIRMAN: You first discipline your party Members. This is not the way to behave with the Chair.

… (Interruptions)

   

20.00 hrs. MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Rao, you have to take your seat now. Otherwise, I will have to reprimand you.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: You take your seat. Mr. Panda, please.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: No, this is not the way. You are a Party Leader and you should know how to behave.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Panda, please.

… (Interruptions)

श्री नामा नागेश्वर राव :सभापति जी, मुझे कंक्लूड करने दीजिए। ...( व्यवधान) आप क्या मुझे सिर्फ एक मिनट बोलने के लिए देंगे? ...( व्यवधान)

MR. CHAIRMAN: No, if you want to conclude, I will allow one sentence.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Why do the other Members stand up?

… (Interruptions)

श्री नामा नागेश्वर राव :यह बहुत बर्निंग इश्यु है। ...( व्यवधान)

MR. CHAIRMAN: What is this? The Party Members are disturbing the Party Leader.

… (Interruptions)

DR. N. SIVAPRASAD : We are doing it specifically for our Party Leader. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Please wind up.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Rao, this is a chance for you to wind up.

… (Interruptions)

श्री नामा नागेश्वर राव :हम एक बात बोलना चाहते हैं कि मिनिस्टर साहब ने जो बात बोली है, उसका एग्रीमैन्ट भी है, यह गवर्नमैन्ट का एग्रीमैन्ट है।

MR. CHAIRMAN: Do not refer to the Minister’s response.

… (Interruptions)

श्री नामा नागेश्वर राव :वह जो रिजर्व करने के बारे में बोलते हैं, वह गलत है। इसमें क्लियरली लिखा है, जीओ नं.69 के बाद 1 लाख 47 हजार एकड़ जमीन जो दी है, वह हमारी कांस्टीटुंसी खम्माम जिले की है।

          दूसरा इसे पूरा कैंसिल करना चाहिए, बय्यारम के ऊपर मुझे कहने दीजिए। मेरी कांस्टीटुंसी के चार मंडल जिसमें नालकोंडापल्ली है, उसमें 1 लाख 47 हजार एकड़ जमीन दे दी गई...( व्यवधान)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Rao, what you have said is on record. Now, you can take your seat.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Panda, please.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI PRABODH PANDA : Sir, how can I speak? The House is not in order. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Rao, you are not allowed to do it as part speech cannot be placed on the Table. You have to understand this. You are a Party Leader. You have to take your seat.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Panda, please start. This is your time.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Rao, please take your seat.

… (Interruptions)

श्री नामा नागेश्वर राव :सर, मैंने आपसे पहले रिक्वैस्ट की है। एक साल से यह हमारी स्टेट का बर्निंग इश्यु है। यदि हम यहां नहीं बोलेंगे तो किसे बोलेंगे। ...( व्यवधान) मैं कंक्लूड कर रहा हूं।...( व्यवधान)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Rao, you take your seat.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: You are disturbing the House.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Nothing is going on record. Only Mr. Panda’s speech will go on record.

(Interruptions) …* SHRI PRABODH PANDA : Sir, how can I speak? … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Only Mr. Panda’s statement will be on record.

(Interruptions) …* SHRI PRABODH PANDA : Sir, the mining is also the core sector of the National economy. … (Interruptions)

SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY: You have made your point, and you are going on disturbing the House. … (Interruptions)

DR. N. SIVAPRASAD : This is our problem. They have to give us time. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: I will ask the Members to vacate the House. I am giving you warning. I will ask these Members to vacate the House. Mr. Rao, please understand this.

… (Interruptions)

DR. N. SIVAPRASAD : We are ready for it. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: You understand the implications.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Panda, please start.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record.

(Interruptions) … *   MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Panda, please start your speech.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: This is not going on record. You are wasting your time and the time of the House. Mr. Panda, please.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Rao, you know the rule of the House that part speech cannot be placed on the Table.

… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Please understand that I have given you enough time. I did not restrict your time when you were making some points even though there is a time limit. You have spoken for eight minutes. Now, if you are again disturbing this House, then it is not correct. I am again requesting you, as the Party Leader, to take your seat. I have given you enough time.

          Now, Mr. Panda, will speak. Please understand this.

… (Interruptions)

DR. N. SIVAPRASAD : You do not give us time. We are walking out. We are protesting against this and walking out.

श्री नामा नागेश्वर राव :आप हमें बोलने नहीं दे रहे हैं, इसके विरोध में हम वाक-आउट करते हैं।

 

20.04 hrs. Shri Nam Nageshwara Rao and some other hon. Members then left the House   MR. CHAIRMAN: This is not correct.

… (Interruptions)

 

SHRI PRABODH PANDA : Thank you, hon. Chairman, Sir.

          Mine is a very important and core sector of the Indian economy. Hence, it has been nationalized and we, from the Left, supported this full-throated.  But now this sector has been gripped by the miscreants in different ways. The corporate and other business sectors and industrial entities thrive pursuing legal, extra-legal and illegal mining across the country. This is the situation. This is an unbridled pursuit of wealth at enormous environmental, social and human cost.

That has led to the growing alienation of the tribals and other habitants in the mining areas. That also caused Maoist intervention in the mining areas. It is not only the question of illegal mining, but also it is a question of illegal transporting, illegal exporting, and all those things are there. The moot question is whether the GoM could address this issue in the overall context or not.

          What is the actual number of illegal mines? According to the numbers estimated by the Government agencies, there are about 15,000 illegal mines spread across the country as against 8,700 legal mines. Now, recently, the Forest and Environment Department categorized some mine areas as “go” and “no go” areas. It is presumed that there will be some illegal mining even in the legal mining areas. What will be the answer in this respect?

          In several parts of our country, the boundaries between the legal and illegal mining areas merge seamlessly. In such a case, any individual or corporate entity engages in mining in both the areas, that is, illegal as well as legal mines. This is happening across the country. The question that arises in the context of illegal mining is about the episode of Jharkhand. We cannot forget, it is a national shame, that one of the former Chief Ministers has been arrested for involvement in illegal mining amounting to Rs. 4,000 crore. It is not a good news. … (Interruptions) In Karnataka, it has been alleged that some political leaders have been involved and they have been inducted in the Karnataka Cabinet. Even this is not a good news.

          Another question arises about Vedanta operations in Orissa. Question also arises in relation to Chhattisgarh where coal mining has been facilitated in the elephant reserve area. A question that arises concerns Maharashtra, in Ratnagiri District, where one thermal power station is being set up. Such questions arise in respect of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat and in several other places of our country.

          The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) presented a horrific picture. It pointed out that in the first four-and-a-half decades of Independence, two-and-a-half crore people have been displaced. Out of them, not even twenty-five per cent have been rehabilitated so far. Of the displaced people, half were tribals. This is the situation. The report estimated that sixty-four lakh acres of forest land has already been diverted for mining.

          Sir, the Parliamentary Committee on Illegal Mining identified 14,504 illegal mines in 2005. I do not know what the actual figure is.

MR. CHAIRMAN : Pandaji, please wind up in one minute.

SHRI PRABODH PANDA : Sir, please give me two minutes. It is expected that the GoM is about to address all the points and problems relating to the illegal mining. So, the question is whether the Government is going to bring in the legislation for adoption.

          It appears that the Government of India is going to set up a Commission to check illegal mining. How would they check, I do not know. A regulatory authority may be set up to detect, investigate and prosecute cases involving illegal mining. There is the Indian Bureau of Mines but it is a toothless regulator. There should be focus on the sector so that all the problems can be solved. The interests of the local people, the consent of the local Panchayats, the consent of the District Panchayats, the share in profit for the local people, recruitment in the mines, the environmental question, the question of rehabilitation, all these questions are there. Is the GoM prepared to address all these points? A comprehensive legislation is what is needed and that legislation should address all these things.

          With these words I conclude my speech.

डॉ. रघुवंश प्रसाद सिंह (वैशाली):महोदय, अवैध खनन, अवैध खनन पर चार घंटे से बहस चल रही है। सदन के तमाम सदस्यों और नेताओं को सुनकर मैं इसी निष्कर्ष पर पहुंचता हूं कि देश में सरकार का, चाहे राज्य सरकार हो, चाहे भारत सरकार हो कोई मतलब नहीं है। हम इसी निष्कर्ष पर पहुंचते हैं कि खान-खनिज वाला वर्ष 1957 वाला कानून, एक्सपोर्ट वाला कानून, पर्यावरण वाला कानून, ये सब असत्य हैं। खान माफिया, कोयला माफिया, पत्थर माफिया, बालू माफिया, इन्हीं सबका बोलबाला है। मैं उदाहरण देता हूं, चार वर्षों में डेढ़ लाख अवैध खनन के मामले पकड़े गये हैं। खासकर हम सवाल उठाना चाहते हैं कि अभी तक जो भी कानून हैं, जो भी व्यवस्था है, यह जनता की आंखों में धूल झोंकना है। सरकारें कहां हैं? भारत सरकार, राज्य सरकारों को कहती है कि हमने खान-खनिज का वर्ष 1957 में अधिकार दे दिया है। उन्हें रॉयल्टी मिलती है, वे पकड़ें। वे क्या पकड़ेंगे, माफिया लोग सरकार को हिला देते हैं। कर्नाटक की सरकारें गिरने लगीं, क्या इसमें आपका कानून सक्षम है? मैं सवाल उठाता हूं कि आप नया कानून कब लायेंगे? यह सवाल नम्बर एक है। अभी के सभी कानून व्यर्थ हैं, निरर्थक हैं। अभी तक जो मेजर अवैध खनन है, वह लगभग 2496 है, मतलब ढ़ाई हजार के करीब मेजर मिनरल खाने हैं। 28 हजार सत्तावन माइनर मिनरल खाने हैं। वैध खाने कितनी हैं, अवैध खाने कितनी हैं, चार गुणा अवैध खाने हैं। आपका क्या कानून है, वर्ष 1957 का कानून कहां है? राज्य सरकारें कहां हैं? खनिज तो खानें खन लेता है, अवैध ढंग से चुराकर, फिर वह बाहर कैसे चला जाता है, एक्सपोर्ट कैसे हो जाता है? कोई तो इसका जवाब दे कि एक्सपोर्ट कैसे होता है? दो साल में केवल कर्नाटक से एक करोड़ टन खनिज बाहर गया है। अब भारत खान ब्यूरो बनाया गया है। 26 खानों का निरीक्षण हुआ और उसमें 80 करोड़ टन अवैध खनिज पकड़ा गया। उसके बाद 6 लाख टन कैसे एक्सपोर्ट हो गया। कहां तंत्र है, कहां प्रशासन है, कहां कानून है, कहां अफसर हैं, सारा धोखा हो रहा है, सारा असत्य है, सारा अविश्वास का वातावरण है। क्यों नहीं नक्सल आयेगा? कहते हैं कि कानून का राज है, लेकिन ये सब अधूरे कानून हैं तो कोई कैसे भरोसा करेगा कि यह कानून का राज है।

          महोदय, देश के साथ, गरीबों, आदिवासियों के साथ अन्याय हो रहा है, धोखा हो रहा है। आप एक नम्बर सवाल का जवाब दीजिये कि आप कहां कानून को रोककर रखे हुए हैं? जीओएम कहां है और उस पर क्या विचार हो रहा है? ऐलान हुआ कि हम मानसून सत्र में लायेंगे, अभी तक क्यों नहीं लाये हैं, वह कब लायेंगे? यह नम्बर एक सवाल है।

          महोदय, नम्बर दो सवाल, जो 80 करोड़ टन भारत खान ब्यूरो ने अवैध खनिज पकड़ा है, छह लाख टन एक्सपोर्ट हो गया, उस पर आपने क्या कार्रवाई की? यह सीबीआई को क्यों नहीं दिया, सीबीआई को देने में आपको क्या कठिनाई है? आपकी उन लोगों से क्या ममता है? कर्नाटक सरकार गिरने लगती है, क्या आपकी सरकार भी माफिया से गिरने वाली है? हम अपने इस सवाल का जवाब चाहते हैं।

          महोदय, श्री संतोष हेगड़े वहां हैं, उन्होंने इस्तीफा दे दिया कि माफिया को नहीं पकड़ सके। श्री संतोष हेगड़े लोकायुक्त हैं। उन्होंने इस्तीफा दे दिया, लेकिन आडवाणी जी ने उन्हें आग्रह करके मनाया, उन्होंने इस्तीफा वापस ले लिया। यह सब जनता के सामने खराब संदेश जाता है। यहां भी लोग माफिया के पक्ष में खड़े हो जाते हैं। ऐसी अंधेर, यह सदन है।

          महोदय, मैं माननीय मंत्री जी से जानना चाहता हूं कि खान नीति में आप कब सुधार करेंगे? इस देश में 12 अरब खनिज का भंडार है। एक आदमी पर यह 21 टन पड़ता है, जबकि अमरीका में एक आदमी पर 50 टन पड़ता है और उसने एक्सपोर्ट रोक दिया है। हमारे यहां 21 टन प्रति व्यक्ति है और हम धड़ल्ले से एक्सपोर्ट कर रहे हैं। मिट्टी से भी सस्ते मूल्य पर बाहर भेज रहे हैं। यह खान-खनिज नीति कब बनायी जाएगी और उसके निर्यात पर कब आप रोक लगाएंगे? क्या आपके पास अमरीका से ज्यादा खनिज है? क्या आप अमरीका से ज्यादा संपन्न हैं? आप धड़ल्ले से निर्यात कर रहे हैं। आप लीगल खनन की बात करते हैं, लेकिन यहां तो इलिगल खनन करके बाहर भेजा जा रहा है।

          महोदय, अंत में मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि बालू और पत्थर माफिया, ऐसा कोई राज्य नहीं है, जहां ये न हों। सोन नदी का बालू, कावेरी का बालू और कहीं पत्थर, सब अवैध रूप से हो रहा है। इस बारे में पर्यावरण मंत्री श्री जयराम रमेश ने कर्नाटक के सीएम को लिखा था, तो फिर रोक क्यों नहीं लगी? सारे कानूनों को झूठा साबित किया जा रहा है और सारा तंत्र देश की आंखों में धूल झौंक रहा है। हमारी धरती के अंदर जो रत्न छिपा है, वे कचरे के भाव में वैध और अवैध रूप से खनन करके बाहर भेजा जा रहा है।

          महोदय, मैं आसन का आभार मानता हूं, जिन्होंने इस विषय को चर्चा के लिए मंजूर किया और माननीय सदस्यों ने जिस सच्चाई को यहां उजागर किया है, इसका भंडाफोड़ होना चाहिए। इस संबंध में ठोस कानून आना चाहिए, ठोस कार्रवाई होनी चाहिए, नहीं तो जनता माफ नहीं करेगी। इतिहास और आने वाली पीढ़ी हमें कलंकित करेगी। इन्हीं शब्दों के साथ मैं अपनी बात समाप्त करता हूं।

*SHRI S. SEMMALAI (SALEM): Mr. Chairman I rise to register our serious concern on the exploitation of natural resources.

Sir, I also thank you for the opportunity given to me to participate in this very important discussion on illegal mining activities that is going on in several parts of the country. Nation's wealth is being looted by unscrupulous anti-social elements.

1. SAND MINING – GENERAL SCENE:

Though mining is an issue concerning the whole nation, I would confine myself (1) to the problems arising out of the illegal quarrying of sand on river beds across the State of Tamil Nadu, and (2) to the problems arising out of the indiscriminate quarrying of granite in Tamil Nadu. Exploitation of natural resources through illegal mining and quarrying has been on the increase in Tamil Nadu. Illegal mining of sand and granite are rampant in Tamil Nadu, leading to a huge loss of revenue to the Government.

Sand is an essential commodity, and there is a need to strike a balance between development and environment. The sand mining terrorism has created a hapless situation in Tamil Nadu. The illegal sand mining has  led to damage to river   systems, deepening  of  river-beds,   widening   of rivers,   depletion   of groundwater table, degradation of groundwater quality, reduction in biodiversity, disaster to the environment, water sources, agriculture, damage to civil structures, and development projects. The mindless mining in river beds had assumed alarming proportions recently and the Government has to put an end to this activity forthwith.

Unauthorized mining has been going on in several places in Tamil Nadu for many years. Money power, muscle power and political influence often help unscrupulous elements to violate all norms.

   

* Speech was laid on the Table   DAMAGES:

Mining leases are given for quarrying sand onriver beds and in canals; but they totally flout all rules and regulations, and they resort to indiscriminate exploitation of the sources. This results in irreversible damage to river systems. This led to water scarcity and loss of agricultural production. There is destruction of agricultural land and loss of employment to farm workers. It also affects the livelihood of lakhs of people in many districts of Tamil Nadu.

The widespread quarrying of sand has affected the flow of water in the river systems to downstream areas and has jeopardized the safety of structures such as bridges, dams, river embankments, power-line towers and power-line poles.

EFFECT ON ECONOMY:

Since they do it illegally, the public are harassed by over-charging by unscrupulous elements. This has substantially affected construction activities which constitutes a significant segment of the economy. The illegal removal of sand far in excess of what has been authorized, has led to loss of revenue to the Govt. Exchequer. When they are given permission to take out 50 lorry loads, they take out 500 lorry loads, with the connivance of officials, leading to substantial loss to the Govt.

The lessees do not confine their mining operations to the areas specified in their licenses. In a number of instances we see that they dig up to a depth of 18 metres, when the 'permitted limit' is only for three feet. In some cases, mining continues even after the expiry of licenses.

When some honest officers try to take action against the illegal sand mafia, they attack the officers and staff. Whenever the mining licensees face trouble from the local community, they use their workers against the people, causing disharmony in the community. They even use caste divisions in the villages to their advantage.

AFFECTED RIVER BASINS:

The affected river basins in Tamil Nadu includes the rivers of Palar, its tributaries like Cheyyar Araniyar and Kosathalaiyar; Cauvery, Bhavani, Vellar, Vaigai and Thamiraparani. Due to illegal mining in these river beds, these perennial rivers have water only during monsoon months. Not only the availability of water came down substantially, but the water has also become saline in several places.  

With the depletion of groundwater resources, in several places, sea water intrusion has led to salinization of well water.

KARUR TURNING DESERT:

In Karur district, Krishnarayapuram taluk in the Cauvery basin is slowly turning into a desert.   Efforts to find out a _solution through legal means did not succeed; and the Govt, has to take sincere and honest efforts because if mining continues at the preset rate, agriculture will perish.

DAMAGE TO VILLAGE ROADS:

Irrigation and drinking water supply are the major casualties. The huge movement of sand-laden over-loaded lorries damage village roads, city roads and even National Highways. In some places, houses are found to have developed cracks. People in the region are exposed to lung-related diseases because of the dust emanating from the sand-laden lorries.

EFFECT ON AGRICULTURE:

Since this has affected agriculture and allied sectors of the economy, it has thrown a number of people out of employment. It led to destruction of more than one lakh coconut trees along the Thamiraparani river basin. This could have otherwise brought a regular income to the growers, thereby resulting in the loss of livelihood to more than 50,000 people. There are damages to thousands of palmyrah trees.

OTHER PROBLEMS:

It leads to other problems also. In the absence of sand, whatever water flows into the rivers, gets accumulated; there is no automatic filtration by sand particles. If there is sufficient sand in the rivers, whenever water flows in it, the sand filters all the dirt particles and allows pure water to settle down in the river bed. Hence, this mining and quarrying lead to several health hazards also.

The sand-laden trucks go in a row, even on the National Highways. Since they are with very heavy loads, in case of any emergency, they are not able to stop the trucks, causing many accidents, resulting in loss of lives also.

 

STEPS TAKEN BY THE THEN CHIEF MINISTER, HON'BLE AMMA:  

           During 2003, the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, hon'ble Amma J. Jaya Lalithaa  had passed orders, entrusting the sand quarrying operations to the Govt., based on the    report    of the High Level Committee,   consisting    of  geologists, environmentalists and scientists, in.order to curb illegal sand quarrying. This led to the State Govt, getting more revenue from this. But again, the revenue to the Govt, has gone down, whereas mining is on the increase.

2. GRANITE QUARRYING IN AND AROUND MADURAI:

In an around Madurai, especially near Melur and Tiruvadavur, illegal granite quarrying has been going on for the last four years with the connivance of the officials in Tamil Nadu. This again leads to a huge loss of revenue to the Government. There is disparity in the amount of granite quarried and the amount of granite exported, which shows that the miners carry out illegal mining. Income to the Govt, from granite has been on the decline, indicating that a huge fraud is being committed.

Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions on the cave sites in the hills in and around Madurai are facing destruction. These inscriptions offer evidence of Tamil's classical language status, and throw light on the advent and spread of Jainism in the Tamil Sangam age. The sites dating back to 2nd and 3rd century AD, provide a lot of invaluable cultural treasure. They are all facing destruction owing to large scale illegal granite quarrying.

Quarrying has been going on at these sites in complete violation of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and also the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1966. According to these Acts, no construction or mining activity is allowed up to 100 metres of this area. It appears that quarry contractors are violating the provisions of both these Acts.

Quarrying is being done so deep that the sites look like open-cast mine. All around the quarry, for several kilometers, granite blocks - as big as a truck or a car - are stacked on either side of the village roads. Hills around this area are being sliced to half. This was admitted by an official of the State Archaeology Department.

Due to this quarrying, the many hills and hillocks near Madurai, like Keezhavalavu and Melakkuyikudi have collapsed.

Against this huge illegal quarrying, a PIL was filed in the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court by the Tamil Daily ‘Dinabhoomi’. It also came out recently with pictures/photos of illegal mining of granite, causing huge loss to the Govt. Exchequer. Annoyed over this, the Editor of Dinabhoomi and his son were arrested for allegedly extorting money from the office-bearers of a Quarry Owners' Association, based on the complaint given by the President of the Madurai Quarry Owners' Association.

The Minority State Govt, is hand in glove with the quarry owners. It is reported that a major portion of the amount is going to the family members of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. It is also reported that each area is divided among the family members of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

CONCLUSION:

The enormity of the problem suffocates us. The pathetic and lukewarm approach of the Govt, baffles and pains us. The issue is to be viewed in a national perspective in order to find an effective and a lasting solution. The Govt, should take necessary steps to augment groundwater recharge on the one hand, and imposing restrictions on indiscriminate sand mining on the other.

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN:

•      Sand quarrying should be placed under the complete control of one single agency of the Govt, in order to regulate its operations.

•      The Govt, should initiate steps to put an end to the illegal sand mining on river beds, particularly in areas close to rail and road bridges.

•      There should be a time-bound programme for this purpose. The Govt, has to constitute a high level committee comprising scientists, geologists and environmentalists to study sand mining operations in river basins, which should submit its report with remedial measures, within six months.

•       The Govt, should specify normal sandbed level for each river; and after this, it should specify a permanent benchmark for the purpose of quarrying. It should ban mining of sand in such rivers where the sandbed level is below the level fixed by the Govt.

•      There shall be no mechanized mining on any riverbed.   

•      Finally, the power to grant licenses should not be with the District Collector or any subordinate district official, but it should be vested with a Commission comprising scientists, soil experts, environmentalists and representatives of panchayats, municipalities and NGOs.   

•      A CBI probe should be ordered to inquire into the illegal granite quarrying and illegal sand mining that is going on in Tamil Nadu.   

I hope that the Govt, would come out with some concrete solutions for this problem facing the country.

                                                                                                                   

चौधरी लाल सिंह (उधमपुर): महोदय, आपकी इजाजत से मुझे जो समय मिला है, उसके लिए आपको शुक्रिया अदा करना चाहूंगा। मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि आचार्य जी और पांडा जी नियम 193 के अंतर्गत बहुत अच्छा डिसकशन लेकर आए हैं, यह बड़ी लंबी डिसकशन है, लेकिन मैं मोटी-मोटी दो-चार बातें कहना चाहता हूं। एक तो आप जानते हैं कि कितनी सुंदर दुनिया है। भगवान ने कितनी अच्छी दुनिया बनाई, कहीं पहाड़, कहीं पानी, कहीं मैदान, आप देखेंगे कि कितना सुंदर है यह देश। इस सुंदरता का हमने बड़ी बुरी तरह कत्ल किया है। मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि आज बुरी हालत है। पहले लीगल खनन और अब अवैध खनन, पहले कानूनी, फिर गैर-कानूनी, पहले चोर फिर अब सीनाजोर। मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि इन बेइमानों को समझ नहीं आ रही है कि हम अपने देश को बनाना क्या चाहते हैं। पैसा लेकर कहां जाएंगे और हम जाने देंगे क्या? जो पैसा इस तरह से इकट्ठा किया, उसे छीनेंगे नहीं क्या?

          जनाबे-आली, एक बात मैं एग्जाम्पल के तौर पर कहना चाहता हूं कि एक आदमी की 35 करोड़ रुपये की कंपनी है, वे ब्रदर्स हैं। वर्ष 2003 में उनके पास 35 करोड़ रुपये का टर्न ओवर है, एक करोड़ रूपए का नेट प्रॉफिट है और वर्ष 2009 में उस व्यक्ति के पास 3000 करोड़ रुपये का टर्न ओवर है और 700 करोड़ रुपये का नेट प्रॉफिट है। मैं जानना चाहता हूं कि मर जाता है किसान, मर जाता है मजदूर, दुनिया मर जाती है, लेकिन काम कर करके 100-200 रूपए नहीं बनता। ये चोर लोग इतने पैसे कैसे बना रहे हैं? ये देश को लूट रहे हैं। आप अगर हिसाब लगाओ, तो मिलिटेंट्स से ज्यादा खतरनाक ये लोग हैं। एक सुंग से निकलते हैं, फंसे कर्नाटक में, निकले जाकर आंध्र प्रदेश में।

          मैं यह कहना चाहता हूं कि इन्हें कौन पूछेगा? श्री हान्डिक साहब, मैं आपसे कहना चाहता हूं कि आपको सख्ती करनी पड़ेगी। स्टेट्स की जो सरकारें हैं, रियासत की सरकारें हैं, अगर ये सरकारें ईमानदारी से न चलीं तो ख्वामख्वाह मेरी बहन भी खड़ी हो जाती या कोई भाई सरकारें बचाने के लिए खड़ा हो जाता, जब आप नहीं बचोगे तो सरकार क्या करोगे। जब कायनात चली जाएगी, इकोलोजिकल इम्बैलेंस होगा, जो सृष्टि रचाई गई है, वह जब बर्बाद होगी तो मेरे भाई आपकी पोलिटिक्स कौन देखेगा? ओएमसी और दूसरी जो चीजें निकली हैं, उन्हें कौन जानेगा? ...( व्यवधान) आप कितनी अच्छी हो, ऐसा क्यों बोलती हो? आप क्यों झगड़ा करती हो? ...( व्यवधान) मैं सुबह भी आपके लिए तनख्वाह बढ़ाने के लिए खड़ा हुआ, आप उस समय खड़ी नहीं हुईं। ...( व्यवधान) अब आप बार-बार खड़ी हो रही हैं।...( व्यवधान) उस समय इन्होंने जो पैसा खाया था, ...( व्यवधान) इसलिए खड़े नहीं हुए। जब मैडम सोनिया गांधी जी का इलैक्शन बिल्लारी में था तो उसके खिलाफ पैसा किस ने खर्चा? 50 एमएलए किस ने हाईजैक किए, किस ने पैसे दिए? *आप क्यों बोल रही हैं? ...( व्यवधान) मैडम, आप मेरी बात सुनें, न रायल्टी दी और न पैसा दिया। इन्होंने जो पैसा बनाया, आप चिन्ता न करें, उसकी वापसी होगी। ...( व्यवधान) आप हमारी एक अच्छी बहन हैं, क्यों लड़ती हो? जब मैं आप पर कोई इल्जाम लगाऊंगा, तब आप खड़ी होना।...( व्यवधान)

          सभापति महोदय, मैं आपके माध्यम से कहना चाहता हूं, मेरा कहने का मकसद यह है कि हमने यह जो सिस्टम बना कर रखा है, हमारे यहां जहां कमजोरियां हैं, किसी एक्ट में हैं या जहां कहीं मी कमियां हैं, उन्हें हमें दूर करना चाहिए। चाहे स्टेट गवर्नमेंट हो या गवर्नमेंट ऑफ इंडिया हो। सेंट्रल गवर्नमेंट ने दस बार चिट्ठी लिखी, लेकिन उसका कोई असर नहीं हुआ। गवर्नमेंट की तरफ से आप जानते हैं कि दस बार बेलेबल वारंट, माफिया और ओएमसी के निकले, तब सरकार ने क्यों नहीं पकड़ा, क्योंकि माल चढ़ा है, पीछे कौन है, यह सोचने वाली बात है। इसलिए मैं कहना चाहूंगा कि चाहे कोई भी सरकार हो, जो सरकार देश का भला न कर सकती हो, उसे घर बैठना चाहिए।           

                   

MR. CHAIRMAN : Now, we have completed the discussion; the hon. Minister will reply tomorrow.

          I am allowing Shri Kumaraswamy to make his personal explanation, only for one minute.

SHRI H.D. KUMARASWAMY : Sir, I am really grateful to you for the opportunity given to me, to clarify only one issue.

          Shri Ananth Kumar misled the House today. He said that when we were running a minority Government in Karnataka, during that time, I recommended nearly 5-6 mining activities to the Central Government.  But I am fully aware that I have not recommended any mining activity when I had the minority Government. That is why, I wanted you to allow me to say this – if he proves that I have sent any single recommendation to the Central Government, when my Government was in a minority, I will quit this House. Will he prove this? Is he going to accept this challenge? This is what I wanted to ask him through you, Sir.  

 

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, you should allow me… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN : That is over now.  We are now taking up ‘Zero Hour’.

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, he has taken my name. That is why, you should allow me for a minute. 

MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Ananth Kumar, in your speech, you have mentioned the name of Mr. Kumaraswamy.  So, it was necessary to give a personal explanation.  If you go on replying like this, it will go on like this.

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, on 1st October, we had withdrawn our support and even after withdrawing the support, he had recommended two mine leases which I have mentioned and it is before the House.

MR. CHAIRMAN:  Now the discussion is over and the Minister will reply tomorrow.

 

MR. CHAIRMAN:  Now we will take up ‘Zero Hour’ matters.