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Jharkhand to shut down its killer mines
Source: Hindustan Times, New Delhi, Date: , 2010
A
day after HT exposed
how iron ore dust from West Singhbhum’s mines and crusher units was
choking and
killing locals, the Jharkhand government swung into action. “The
government
will shut down all polluting crushers and mining companies,” said
Jharkhand
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Badkunwar Gagrai, a legislator from
the area,
which borders Orissa. “They are not just choking our lungs, they are
polluting the entire environment — land, air and water — as well,” he
said,
adding that the government action would begin after the current
assembly
session, which ends on March 26.However, West Singhbhum Deputy
Commissioner
Sunil Kumar said: “Unless we are provided specific and concrete
information, we
cannot take action against anyone.” About 40 mining companies and 200
crushers
— mostly illegal — operate in the area, 160 km south west of
Ranchi.But
the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) said there are only
142
crusher units of which it had shut down 60 for failure to adhere to
pollution
norms. “We will shut down 20-30 more,” said R.K. Sinha, secretary,
JSPCB,
adding: “I am preparing a draft on steps to be taken to minimise
pollution and
save people from various health hazards being caused by the red dust.
Swift
action will be taken as soon as the government clears the draft.”
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