In a move to implement the socio-economic plan of reclamation and rehabilitation of mining impact zones surrounding working and non-working mining leases in Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur, a Rs 10,000 crore draft plan was prepared by the Bellary Deputy Commissioner.
According to the plan Rs 1,000 crore per year will be spent for this purpose for a period of 10 years. Under the socio-economic plan, public health, education, water quality improvement, agriculture and allied activities, ecology and environment, which were affected by illegal mining will get attention.
To mobilise funds for the plan, it was suggested that 10 per cent of the profit from the sale of iron ore would be used. Accordingly, Bellary will get a share of over 70 per cent, Chitradurga over 19 per cent and Tumkur over 10 per cent. Over Rs 1,500 crore which is 15 per cent of the project, was allocated for implementing the plan.
National Committee for Protection of Natural Resources (NCPNR) demanded more funds for education and agriculture under the plan, but these two sectors got less attention by allotting two per cent for each.
S R Hiremath, founder president of the NCPNR, said that his counsel Prashant Bhusan had already given a written submission to the Central Empowered Committee on August 20 regarding the plan. Director of Institute of Wood Science and Technology Dr S C Joshi will conduct a meeting on Monday in Bellary with the elected representatives, industry stake holders, NGOs, domain experts and officials regarding the draft.
A meeting will also be held in Chitradurga on Tuesday in this regard, said sources.
The plan, a part of comprehensive environmental plan for Mining Impact Zone, was prepared by the Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education as per the direction of the Supreme Court.
Comments
0 comment