Plea to lift ban on road transport of minerals

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has been urged to lift the ban on road transport of minerals. Antarastriya Manavadhikar Association, a Keonjhar-based organisation fighting for the common cause of the people, has made the plea. ‘’The Government decision has created a great deal of discontent among the public, particularly those families depending on transportation business,’’ president of the Association Mitrabhanu Mahakud said in a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.The ban on transportation of iron ore on road has rendered many people jobless and affected their livelihood. If the Government fails to revoke its decision, the situation in the mining areas may turn hostile and the Government will be responsible for the law and order problem, he cautioned.He further warned that criminal activities in Joda, Barbil and Koida areas __ the mining belt of Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts __ will increase if the ban continues. Thousands of people, working in the transportation sector, are sitting idle after the Government imposed restriction on the movement of trucks and other heavy vehicles engaged in iron ore transport. An idle mind is the devil’s workshop, goes an adage.Over 15,000 trucks were engaged in the transportation of minerals. The Government put a ban to check illegal mining and theft of iron ore and other minerals. Railways is the only mode of transport of iron ore to different destinations.Although the decision to ban road transport of minerals was taken at the highest level of the Government, the Steel and Mines Department has sought the views of Director of Mines on the memorandum.