BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Krushak Mahasangh (OKM) has demanded ban on export of iron ore, bauxite and chromite to control illegal mining activities in the State. In his submission before the Shah Commission of inquiry, former MLA and OKM president Bibhudendra Pratap Das has said that due to huge demand of iron ore, bauxite, chromite in the international market, theft of these materials is increasing. “So to control illegal mining activities, export of these minerals may kindly be stopped, otherwise the future generation of the country would not get steel and aluminium for their use,” Das said. The former MLA said that if the menace is not curbed, all these precious minerals would be indiscriminately misused by the unscrupulous people. Also by stopping of exports, it will help to protect forest, environment, wild animals and birds, rivers as well the livelihood of crores of tribals and backward people, he said. The divisional forest officer (DFO), Keonjhar, had written a letter to mine owners operating in the district regarding drying up of Kundra river by their illegal mining activities, Das said. Das said in his submission that for many years valuable minerals being stolen from different mines by anti-social elements in connivance with administration was well known to the government. He said that 14 MLAs, cutting across party lines, had submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to make a rule incorporating provision of award for institutions and villagers who tip off officials about the theft of minerals. He said that had the suggestion been implemented, 50 per cent theft of iron ore, chromite and bauxite would have been stopped, he said.
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