Bhubaneswar: In a bid to prevent smuggling
of minerals through rail and sea route, the Orissa government
today framed a new guideline which makes it mandatory to seek
permission from Steel and Mines department for transport of
iron ore.
"Now according to the new guideline, the Railways will
not allow transport of minerals unless the consignment has
proper permission from the Steel and Mines department,"
Secretary Ashok Dalwai said.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired
by Chief Secretary T K Mishra.
Now permission will have to be taken from the Deputy
Director of Mines (DDM) of the concerned area before the iron
ores can be transported unlike earlier when only permission of
railway authorities was needed.
The port authorities have also been alerted about
smuggling of minerals through the sea route, Dalwai said.
The guideline will remain in force till a new rule is
framed, he said.
The state government has set up a committee headed by the
special secretary of the Steel and Mines to formulate new
rules to prevent smuggling of minerals through rail and sea
routes. It is likely to submit its report by April 30.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, April 15, 2010, 22:39