Vigil on mining houses paying levy to Maoists

Vijay Deo Jha |
RANCHI | Saturday, June 26, 2010

The Union Home Ministry is reported to have asked the Jharkhand Government to keep tabs on mining and industrial houses who are being accused of paying levies to Maoists. Though refusing to divulge the details of the content, sources said that the Centre has sought a detail report on the ground situation in Jharkhand.

"We are aware of the situation. Only yesterday, we were discussing to hold a special meeting in this regard. Though, I cannot give you the timeline, it will be held very soon," said Jharkhand DGP Neyaz Ahmed.

Although the Union Ministry regularly drops such missives, the current one has a background. It is in the wake of Central Government's seriousness to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 2010. The mining lease of the companies found guilty of paying Maoists, or indulging in illegal mining, could be scrapped.

A joint secretary-level official of the Union Home Ministry had once told The Pioneer that after Chhattisgarh, mining companies in Jharkhand top the lists in paying a levy to Maoists for hassle-free operations.

The draft proposal currently with the Prime Minister Office has been actively advocated by the Union Home Ministry, which wants to snap financial lifeline of the Maoist for the success of the Operation Green Hunt.

Though there is no established data of the amount of the Maoist levy on mining companies, a top officer of Intelligence Bureau guessed that the amount could be above Rs 300 crore.

"It is true that some are in connivance with the Maoists while some others are paying out of fear. It is a big problem," the DGP said. But the State police have not been able to provide round-the-clock security against red ultras because the mines are often located in Maoists' den and buying passage from Maoist is easier than contacting police.

"Who pays them willingly? If you do not, be ready to shut down your operation. Some are fortunate as they have to deal with one outfit. But what about those areas where around dozen of such groups have cropped up," retorted an official of a prominent industrial house having stake in Jharkhand.

Timber and public works contractors must regularly pay them a cut. Coal and iron ore transporters --- Government and private --- must buy safe passage, industry, big and small, must cough up protection money.

And the amount paid is probably shown under the head of miscellaneous expenditure, i.e, road maintenance, purchase of taints for labourers and sundries.

Hindalco Industries Limited, a company of Aditya Birla Group, had to stop its operation after Maoists disrupted transportation of bauxite from mines in Gumla and Lohardaga. A senior politician knowing the region well said that the company could start its operation after accepting increased demand of levy by the Maoist.

But the security forces engaged in bloody battle against Maoists have a serious allegation against mining companies: Maoists using explosives to kill the forces are procured from the mining companies.

"Where from Maoists get explosives and gelatins? Jharkhand is littered with land mines killing innocent people and security forces. They must be getting these from such companies," Alok Raj, CRPF DIG said.

Raj sought a special probe and said that the inventory of the supply and use of the explosives by the mining companies in the mining operation should be checked.



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