Jaipur : Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Assembly Tikaram Julie has fiercely attacked the Bhajan Lal government regarding the crisis in the mines. He said that the central and state governments are responsible for the situation of closure of 23 thousand mines in the state. These mines will be automatically locked from November 8, for which the Chief Minister himself will be responsible. Tikaram further said that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has declared November 7, 2024 as the last date for issuing NOC for environment clearance of 23 thousand mines in the state, but due to the absence of a state level environment committee in the state, this work cannot be done. Is stuck.
NGT refuses to extend the last date
The state government has sent a proposal to the Union Environment Ministry for the formation of a new committee, but it has not yet approved the formation of this committee and the NGT has also refused to extend the last date of November 7. . Julie said that if there is no coordination between the central and state governments even on such an important issue, then what is the meaning of ‘double engine government’. This word is just a catchphrase of BJP to woo people.
Government’s indifference responsible for closure of mine
Leader of Opposition said that there are 35 thousand mines in the state. In this, the indifference of the state government is responsible for the closure of 23 thousand mines of minor mineral and quarry license holders. This situation had arisen in the state six months ago also, but then this period had extended further. In the last six months, the state government issued NOC to only one thousand out of 12 thousand applicants and the tenure of the state level environment committee was completed in the month of October. At the same time, other twelve thousand mine owners were deprived of even applying and now the Union Environment Ministry is not issuing notification for the new committee.
He further said that mineral economy is the pivot of the state’s industry and business. On one hand, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma is making tall claims of foreign investment regarding ‘Rising Rajasthan’, while on the other hand, clouds of crisis are looming over the closure of 23 thousand mines in the state and the livelihood of 15 lakh people. The Chief Minister has also failed to disclose the agreement regarding ERCP to the people of the state and now the Chief Minister’s failure has once again come to light on the sensitive issue of environment clearance of mines.
