By Our Correspondent
BARBIL/JODA: Mine owner Ahluwalia brothers ( read Kamaljit Singh Ahluwalia and Prashant Ahluwalia) are from Rajasthan and their contractor B Prabhakaran, who owns Thriveni Earth Movers Pvt Ltd, hails from Salem Tamil Nadu,once againt hit the headlines after some locals youth of Barbil-Joda region, alleged that both Ahluwalia brothers and Prabhakaran hiring people from Tamil Nadu and other southern State for mining work in Keonjhar.
The local youths alleged that Thriveni Earth Movers Pvt Ltd is engaged in contracting work at Kaypee Enterprises Thakurani Iron Ore Mines located at Dalki under Barbil police limits of Keonjhar district and hiring people from outside Odisha.
The Thakurani Iron Ore Mines located at Dalki area under Barbil police limits of Keonjhar district, is not giving precedence to local tribal youths affected by mining work. Some organization in Bhubaneswar and with local youths of Barbil have decided to hold demonstration against Thriveni Earth Movers Pvt Ltd and Kaypee Enterprises Thakurani Iron Ore Mines.
Thriveni Earth Movers Pvt Ltd hiring people from south India, particularly from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka but locals are not getting work and employment in Thriveni Earth Movers Pvt and also at Kaypee Enterprises Thakurani Iron Ore Mines. Both Thriveni Earth Movers Pvt and also at Kaypee Enterprises Thakurani Iron Ore Mines are giving right of way to non-odia workers and harassing local tribal people in Barbil-Joda areas of Keonjhar district.
Earlier, Odisha State Pollution Control Board(OSPCB) issued a strict warning Thakurani Iron ore mines of Kaypee Enterprises to maintain ambient air quality as per the norms. OSPCB had directed to install continuous ambient air quality monitoring station (CAAQMS) in their operating area. Continuous ambient air quality monitoring should be carried in order to keep a vigil eye on impact of air quality of the area due to mining activities as well as transportation of ore through roads, they said.
The CEC of Supreme Court had also inspected KJS Ahluwalia’s mines. The MoEF first discovered illegal mining by the company in November 2011. In January 2012, the divisional forest officer of Rourkela, in his report to the principal chief conservator of forests of Odisha, found numerous violation of forest laws by the company. In view of Justice MB Shah Commission initial reports, Thriveni Earth Movers’ Pvt Ltd of Salem based B Prabhakaran, played a key role in Odisha Mining scam.
Many people had been demanding B Prabhakaran’s arrest since the scam broke out. B Prabhakaran with help of some political leaders and bureaucrats running his illegal business in Odisha’s Keonjhar-Sundargarh district. B Prabhakaran had taken over sub-lease for 10 to 12 mines violating 37 rules of Mines and Minerals Act. B Prabhakaran, to escape unhurt, had fooled Saha Commission by promising Rs 100 crore funds for tribal people with help of other 5 Mines firm,all played key role in Mining scam. B Prabharakan and KJS Ahluwali-Prasant Ahluwalia Business network should be probed by CBI.
Company looted mineral resources from Keonjhar-Sundargarh worth Rs 40,000 crore in last 10 years in Odisha. The company has violated pollution control act of 1986, air pollution control act of 1981, water pollution control act of 1974 and forest rights act of 1980.Mining operators were supposed to extract ore with clearance of air and water pollution control under various acts like Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and consent to operate under the Water (PCP) Act, 1974 and Air (PCP) Act, 1981.But the company operating without the consent to operate of SPCB.The firm has been violating forest and wildlife laws .
The Company, which is also creating air and water pollution while defying orders of Odisha State Pollution Control Board and Union Forest and Environment Ministry. Action should be taken under Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and Odisha Forest Act-1972 and Mines and Minerals Act , which are operating without valid consent to operate will be issued closure directions or will be prosecuted as per the provisions in Water (PCP) Act, 1974 and Air (PCP) Act, 1981.While granting “consent to operate”, it will be ensured that the proponent has obtained all other statutory clearances under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986,they added.
