‘Transfer cutting edge staff’
The K Jairaj Committee on action taken/to be taken on the Lokayukta report on mining has suggested that all cutting edge employees of government departments who have served in the district during 2008-11, should be transferred.
The committee has said the government should provide bulk financial assistance or budgetary grants to departments to carry out good governance measures.
Follow-up actions to be taken by departments should be made time-bound by the State level co-ordination-cum-empowered committee, the report says.
Explaining why a special investigation team (SIT) should be formed, the committee says that further investigation by a competent agency is required to launch criminal prosecution against wrong doers and for recovery of loss.
A State level task force under the secretary, e-governance, should design and execute a system which can computerise and integrate field departments at the district level.
The report says that a single window agency for monitoring mining leases is essential. It should be headed by a deputy commissioner. Monitoring of performance of iron ore lease holders is important. The agency should recover pecuniary losses by filing civil suites.
Meanwhile, the following departments have taken initiatives to streamline administration:
* Mines & Geology: Formation of State level co-ordination-cum-empowered committee to review issues of illegal mining and action taken by departments; implementation of online e-permit system for transportation of iron and manganese; and smart cards to replace trip sheets in ore transportation.
* Transport: Proposal to install ‘weigh-in-motion’ bridges on all routes and border check-posts to counter overloading; GPRS to be installed in all vehicles carrying ore.
* Public Works: Proposal to establish Karnataka Maritime Board for integrated port development & coastal shipping
* Forest: Forest Produce Tracking System to be developed to track ore movement.
* Ecology & Environment: Levy of environment protection fee has begun; proposal to prescribe minimum mining area of 25 ha and above for sustainable mining.
