Keonjhar: The Centre appointed
Shah Commission led by former Supreme Court judge Justice M B
Shah on Thursday formally began investigation into illegal mining in
Orissa.
The Commission held a discussion with the district
authorities of Keonjhar and Sundergarh besides authorities of
the railways, Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) and forest
officials.
"We have supplied documents and replied to the queries
made by the commission during the meeting," Keonjhar district
magistrate D V Swamy told reporters.
Collectors, superintendents of police, divisional
forest officers, regional manager of the pollution control
board and vigilance officer of the south-eastern railways
attended the meeting.
The commission members are scheduled to visit certain
mines in Joda areas of Keonjhar district and Koida area in
Sundergarh district, an official said.
The commission was unlikely to hold public hearing due
to shortage of time.
"One requires sufficient time in order to hold public
hearings. As the commission did not inform the district
administration about its visit, publicity could not be made
for a public hearing.
"Therefore, the commission members will only hear
views of stake holders and receive memoranda from the people,"
said a district official.
"We have complied with all the queries made by the
commission in the past and will provide all support to it,"
steel and mines minister Raghunath Mohanty said.
PTI
