Mining Industry and Government Should Work Hand-In-Hand, Says Vaikundarajan

Piyush Goyal, Mines Minister, urged the mining industry to play fair and consider the health and happiness of people affected by mining. Piyush Goyal also heads the ministries of Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy.

Vaikundarajan explains that the mining industry has been seeking a reduction on import duty on iron ore. However, Piyush Goyal has thwarted these requests stating that there is a local demand that imports minerals from outside. “The mining industry and the government should work together in the national interest rather than focus only on the industry interests,” says Vaikundarajan, founder of one of the leading mining companies in India, VV Minerals.

While the government wants the industry to have a competition in market, it also wants the materials to be available locally. The government has ordered an extension on non-captive mines till 2020.

Piyush Goyal agreed that an industry cannot survive based on the exploration carried out by government. However, he was quick to point out at the corruption and evasion of taxes and illegalities created over the last few years. In these circumstances, the government has to take stern actions and request the mining industry to follow the rules and regulations.

“To put things into action, the Supreme Court has cancelled 204 coal blocks and declared them illegal and arbitrary allotments. It is time for the mining industry and government to find a common ground and work hand-in-hand,” informs Vaikundarajan.

 

 

Mining Industry Should Adhere To Environmental Clearance Rules, Says Vaikundarajan

The existing mines in Madhya Pradesh have found themselves in the spotlight. “Some instances of children drowning in mining pits filled with rain water have been reported. The concerned locals requested for an action to be taken immediately. Following this, the National Green Tribunal has asked the principal secretary and district collectors to carry out an inspection,” explains Vaikundarajan, founder and managing director of VV Minerals India, one of the leading sand beach mining companies in India.

Vaikundarajan further explains that the mining areas lack a safety mechanism to prevent these incidents from happening. Under the environmental clearance, there should be fencing around the area as well as guards patrolling the area.

Another case was filed by Afsar Khan pertaining to sourcing of raw material for crushers for construction of the road between Shahdol-Annuppur. The directions for investigation were given by Justice Dalip Singh as a judicial member and Satyawan Singh Garbyal as expert member. The next date for this hearing has been scheduled for October 20,2016.

“Mining industry should abide to all the environmental clearances. Safety of the employees and the locals should always be the utmost priority,” says Vaikundarajan.