State govt mulls PPP for 27 abandoned ECL coalmines

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Express news service

Posted online: Tuesday , January 08, 2008 at 12:00:00
Updated: Tuesday , January 08, 2008 at 01:15:39

Kolkata, January 7 The state government is mulling the idea of taking up 27 abandoned coalmines of the Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) for mining through public-private partnership (PPP).

The state also wants ECL to “scientifically” close down the rest of the abandoned mines.

State chief secretary Amit Kiran Deb today said a large number of people — around 50,000 — are involved in illegal mining.

“The mining is carried out in an unscientific and dangerous manner. We have identified 27 such mines in which proper mining is possible,” Deb said.

The state government wants that the mines be handed over to the West Bengal Mineral Development and Trading Corporation. The abandoned mines exist in parts of Burdwan, Bankura and Purulia.

Deb said other than those mines where there is still a possibility of exploration, the rest should be closed in a scientific manner.

Deb, however, said a total halt on mining by locals is not practically feasible in the near future.

A number of small sponge-iron units and other local industries in the region depend on coal for survival. Also, thousands earn their livelihood through this activity.

“The Union government has set up a task force to look into illegal mining. In this regard, a meeting was held recently where I had participated. We have also taken up the matter with the Coal ministry,” Deb said.

He added that Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had already discussed the matter with ECL authorities and also Coal India Limited Chairman Partha Bhattacharya.

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