Cavrem villagers have alleged that miners have destroyed the whole village. To revolt on this issue the women from village hold Dharna in the city on Monday morning over ‘illegal transportation of e-auctioned ore.’ This group of the locals then met Prasanna Acharya the Director of Mines and Geology. This is what he responded to the allegations made by the villagers regarding the illegally extracted ore at Cavrem Village. Read the full report here.
[su_expand more_text=”READ MORE” less_text=” ” height=”0″ hide_less=”yes” link_style=”button” link_align=”center”] Speaking to the media villagers alleged that the government and the directorate of Mines and Geology never care for the villagers and they are just there for namesake with a hand in glove.
Villagers alleged that these miners have destroyed everything including their water resources, houses, and the whole village is suffering as fields have been rendered uncultivable which is a main source of occupation. They said adding to it, “And, this is being done despite assurances given by the government (Directorate of Mines and Geology) that the mining companies will not be allowed to carry out any illegal transportation of iron ore, but from Cavrem illegally mined ore is being transported.”
Revealing everything villagers said that this unaccounted and illegally extracted ore is hidden under the soil dumps and is being transported from Cavrem under police protection. They added saying, adding the ore from Sulcornem mine is being transported through Cavrem mine and this is how they (government and mines department) are cheating the innocent villagers.
As said by the villagers they want to protect the village and its wealth but it’s being exhausted by extracting illegally and without keeping any record. Being firm on the decision they alleged that the village is being looted by the elected representatives in present government and we want those (MLAs) to quit the post and positions in the government.
They said that the ore of good grade is being hidden under the soil and transported illegally in the array of e-auctioned ore.
After hearing to the delegations comprising Ravindra Velip, Ramesh Gawas and a woman, the director declared that the department is working within limit of the law and they don’t violate law as they have high regards for it.
He also asked them about the dates and spots where the illegally-extracted ore is being stored and added that with that information, the issue will be resolved for all. Acharya told the delegation that he knows everything or they do not know anything and are trying to confuse villagers on the issue.
He said, “We are not sitting here just to while away time or waste time,” adding the matter is very serious and allegations are also very serious.
As per he told the delegation, ore is being transported through records and grading is done and if there are allegations, then the department needs to examine it properly. He also said that the state government is accountable besides there is an audit too.
Giving out explanation Prasanna told the delegation that the e-auctioned ore was being transported through Cavrem so as to ease the traffic blocking and control traffic hurdles. He further said, “If you are fighting for your right fight for it we have no objections but do not misguide the people and confuse them”.
Saying he was a non-political person and does not like to do politics on such issue, Prasanna said , “If you want ore transportation contract, you file an application and I will see that you get it within next two days but question of registering the society does not arise at all here as I am not concerned about it.”
He also urged saying, “We are not here to hide anything. After 2012, the mining department has become completely transparent and transparency has returned to the mining industry and I urge you not to brand legal mining as illegal mining.”
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