Speaker orders probe into govt’s mining lease order

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 24

Taking strong exception to the government order allowing mining lease to a non-state subject, Speaker of the state Legislative Assembly Kavinder Gupta here today ordered an inquiry into the issuance of the lease despite his directions to keep the matter in abeyance. 

Questioning how the decision was taken when the matter was being examined by a House committee, the Speaker sought action against the erring officials after members cutting across party lines expressed their unhappiness over the issue. The House and the chair have been insulted, the Speaker said.

When legislators cutting across party lines, brought the matter to the notice of the Speaker, he expressed dismay over the order that had been issued by the Geology and Mining Department with a no-objection certificate from the Pollution Control Board.

“When the SRO-105 (sadr-e-riyasat ordinance permitting non-state subjects to carry out mineral excavation) was kept on hold, how did it (Mining Department) issue the order?” the Speaker questioned. 

On June 3, the Speaker had constituted an eight-member House committee headed by National Conference member Mohammad Akbar Lone to look into the issue. The committee is expected to submit its report by July 15.

Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Parkash Ganga said the order had not come to his notice. “We will examine it and action will be taken,” he said while the Speaker and other members sought the immediate suspension of the officer responsible for the issuance of the order. 

Later, the Speaker said the Industries and Commerce Minister would submit the action taken report in the House tomorrow.

When the House proceedings began, CPM member MY Tarigami raised the mining issue with other opposition members from the National Conference and the Congress supporting him. 

Tarigami said even though SRO-105 had been put on hold, the government had ordered the mining lease in favour of Mohan Pal Singh from Chandigarh for excavation in the Ravi river in Kathua district of the Jammu region. 

The Speaker said, “My office had issued an order to the Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, regarding the decision to keep SRO 105 in abeyance. It is unfortunate that this chair (of the Speaker) has been insulted and this House has been insulted.”

Bharatiya Janata Party member Rajiv Jasrotia also expressed dismay over the order that pertained to his constituency.

Intervening, chairman of the House committee Lone said it was a breach of privilege and sought the resignation of the Industries and Commerce Minister and the Secretaries concerned of the I&C Department and the Pollution Control Board.