Illegal coal mining has slowed down in the belts of Eastern Coalfields (ECL), with seizures taking place all over India to curb illegal election fundings. ECL is one of the country’s hottest beds for illegal coal mining which take place despite strict vigilance of Coal India (CIL) and the Central Industrial Security Force ( CISF) .
Though there has been frequent incidents of illegal coal mining in the area, the state and central government authories have failed take any effective measure. MM Prathibhan, additional director, vigilance, told FE, the election commission has given special powers to the directorate of revenue intelligence and the directorate of GST intelligence to check the use of black money during elections. All agencies, including the CBI, CID, SFIO, ED, state police and CISF have been alerted to keep a close watch in the mining areas.
Mine workers in Sardih, Salanpur, Khaskenda, Neokenda, Pandebswar, Harishpur and Haripur said illegal mining at present has come to a halt and the depots from where the illegal coal are despatched in dumpers have been shut down.
