Mineral theft continues unabated

ROURKELA: Notwithstanding police crackdown on illegal mining at the Koida mining sector of Sundargarh district, plundering of mineral resources could not be stopped  given the soft penal provisions.The arrest of 10 persons with five trucks loaded with stolen iron ore on Tuesday only highlights the fact that mineral thieves are determined to make a killing. Mining industry sources said given the lucrative monetary prospects the illegal trade offers, a few days of imprisonment is not a deterrent.Sources said the mining mafias from 2007 to mid-2011 enjoyed no-holds-barred situation. The loot of minerals, especially iron ore, was conservatively estimated at anything beyond Rs 1,000 crore, according to the district unit of CPM.The situation improved to some extent after the appointment of Himanshu Lal as Rourkela SP last year. Crackdowns till date have led to arrest of 125 persons, seizures of around 50 vehicles and 19,500 tonnes of minerals.Given the complex legal system the police could do little. The two big time mining mafias _ Abdul Bari and Ganesh Jaiswal _ were back from jail within a fortnight. Sources said the early release of Bari and Jaiswal has only encouraged other mineral thieves.Even the amended Mining Act is inadequate. Koida Deputy Director, Mines, (DDM) SN Sinku had earlier said mineral theft, be it small or large-scale, attracts maximum imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of Rs 25,000 under the Mines and Minerals Regulation Development Act, 1957. The Orissa Mineral Rules, 2007, has empowered the competent authority like DDM to impose  more penalty, he said, adding that offenders were fined from Rs 1 lakh to as high as Rs 30 lakh.Similarly, at best the police could slap Sections 379 (for theft) and 411 (dishonestly receiving stolen properties) for a maximum imprisonment of five years with fine. But, convictions involve a lengthy process.Moreover, the present legal provisions in no way are equipped to net big ‘fishes’ who act behind the scene and confiscation of properties is next to impossible, said a senior cop.