Haryana flouts mining laws

NEW DELHI: The old adage “where there’s will, there is a way” suits the Haryana government’s mining policy, but for negative reasons.

The government has found a way to circumvent the Supreme Court’s directives regarding safety in mining and protection of labour interests.

Though the Supreme Court in a series of orders has stressed on mining in line with the norms of sustainable development, the state government has modified its policy in such a way that it bypasses the ministry of environment and forests’ three notifications issued between 1992 and September 2006 stipulating clearance for any mining project.

To avoid the hassle of securing a clearance for mining projects above five hectares, the state came up with a novel solution to bypass the legal loop. It divided large areas of mining areas into five hectares and allowed mining in three politically-sensitive districts of Bhiwani, Mahindergarh and Narnaul.

“Officials from mine safety and labour departments don’t find it a worthwhile exercise to inspect the small holdings of five hectares where scientific mining is impossible,” said Ramesh Arya who has been litigating in the high court and the SC for restoration of legality in Haryana mining.

A Haryana government official said “it’s a conscious policy decision”.