Rajasthan should ban mining in 5-km area along border: Haryana

Struggling to contain illegal mining emanating from Rajasthan, Haryana has proposed that the mining activities be banned within 5 km of the neighbouring state along its border.

Haryana has requested that the Survey of India be directed to mark this buffer zone of 5 km. The proposal was made by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court over illegal roads made in the Aravalis to facilitate illegal mining.

Haryana blamed different mining policies of two neighbouring states for illegal mining. “There are licensed crusher zones in these areas. In Haryana too, there is a crusher zone in Bewan village on the Rajasthan-Haryana border. The lease holders have mined beyond their lease limits. As a result, the surrounding areas are being damaged.

Apart from this, the interstate border which traverses the Aravalli mountain range also facilitates illegal mining from Rajasthan side. Due to difference in the policies of both the states, large-scale illegal mining is taking place in the border areas. This is being exploited by the mining mafia operating from Rajasthan, which is exploiting the resources from Haryana. The minerals extracted in this manner are illegally transported to Haryana. This not only causes huge loss of revenue but also poses a serious threat to the environment. “In the absence of clear demarcation of boundaries, illegal mining activities take place on the Haryana side. All mining activities be banned up to 5 km in the Rajasthan border,” said the affidavit. The affidavit was filed on court’s directives in case of illegal mining in Basai Meo village of Nuh district and ordered the state to file a reply by July 16.

Haryana authorities specified that the two roads built by cutting forest and agricultural land in Nuh district have reduced the distance to the Rajasthan border by about 25 km and have helped illegal miners to escape from the officials. These roads have been built in the last two years with the connivance of the then sarpanch and officials. In this, a 2,050-metre-long and 12.19-metre-wide road was constructed from Basai Meo to Chhapra village in Deeg district of Rajasthan.At the same time, another 1,950-metre-long and 12.19-metre-wide road was built from Basai Meo to Nagal village. According to affidvait, Rs 13.26 crore has been spent on the construction of these roads. These roads were illegally constructed during the consolidation action on the land of farmers, which have now been closed with the proposed compensation for three crop seasons.

DC Vishram Kumar Meena removed the sarpanch from his post on July 1. At the same time, the ACB has also registered a case against him.

Haryana Tribune