By Sanjeev Shekhar
• CII meet in Ranchi on ‘Sustainable mining-the road ahead
• Conference focus on raising human development index
• Human development matters most to the government, said Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda in his message
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organised a conference on “Sustainable mining-the road ahead” in Ranchi. The industry leaders focussed on the human development and philanthropic work around the mining areas. The reclamation of the land may soon see the policy of the centre in the interest of the ‘raiyyats’ (land owners), although some of the PSUs have already returned their land.
The speakers emphasised on raising the human development index in mining areas and putting a philanthropic and pro-environment attitude before anything else.
Jharkhand department of mines and geology Secretary AK Sarkar said, “There have been talks about the First World utilising resources with a free hand first, and imposing restrictions on the Third World later. It may be true but we cannot say there is no need for sustainable attitude.”
“We need this now on the priority basis. Mining companies should adopt sound techniques that can deal with challenges arising out of mining activities,” he added.
The Secretary laid emphasis on minimising the social impact of mining activities, by adopting a people-centric policy and scheme benefiting their life and livelihood, along with increasing awareness about this.
Chief Minister Arjun Munda asked the mining industry in Jharkhand to be concerned about human development.
Munda, who could not make it to the Confederation of Indian Industries' day-long conference on 'Sustainable Mining -- The Road Ahead', said in a message that, "Human development matters most to the government."
The former CII chairman and Telcon managing director Ranaveer Sinha said, “The lowest human development index in mining areas is the biggest challenge the industry is facing. Unfortunately, this trend is persistent all over the world and people live in penury in most mineral-rich areas. This trend has to be reversed and sustainable development is the need of the hour”
He also underlined the reluctance of mining companies to share revenue, apart from conducting corporate social responsibility.
CCL advocated the idea of reclamation of land-
Echoing a similar sentiment, the Central Coalfields CMD Gopal Singh said, “There is certainly a massive side effect of mining activities in the social and environmental but business is necessary as well,” he stated.
“Almost 50 per cent of the power generated is based on coal and we need power for a better quality of life. But that should come by adopting cleaner mechanisms. Gone are the days, when miners ignore environmental concerns,” Gopal Singh added.
He hinted at a policy by the Coal Ministry in which returning land to land losers after mining or reclamation of land is being considered.
Gopal Singh also spoke about adopting a philanthropic attitude towards the society which, he said, would surely mitigate the resistance coming from land owners.
Former Coal India chairman and managing director PS Bhattacharyya said mining people must not only react to circumstances arising from mining but also take proactive steps to undo the trouble.
“Degradation of land has not been taken care of, which could have been converted into productive land with some investment. It should be the duty of the companies,” he pointed out.
The conference had leaders from mining industry, who explored possibilities of human development in areas of mining. Although mining is plagued by problems ranging from ecological, environmental, human development to deforestation, still it can flourish, feel experts.
PR/Media Consultant
• CII meet in Ranchi on ‘Sustainable mining-the road ahead
• Conference focus on raising human development index
• Human development matters most to the government, said Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda in his message
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organised a conference on “Sustainable mining-the road ahead” in Ranchi. The industry leaders focussed on the human development and philanthropic work around the mining areas. The reclamation of the land may soon see the policy of the centre in the interest of the ‘raiyyats’ (land owners), although some of the PSUs have already returned their land.
The speakers emphasised on raising the human development index in mining areas and putting a philanthropic and pro-environment attitude before anything else.
Jharkhand department of mines and geology Secretary AK Sarkar said, “There have been talks about the First World utilising resources with a free hand first, and imposing restrictions on the Third World later. It may be true but we cannot say there is no need for sustainable attitude.”
“We need this now on the priority basis. Mining companies should adopt sound techniques that can deal with challenges arising out of mining activities,” he added.
The Secretary laid emphasis on minimising the social impact of mining activities, by adopting a people-centric policy and scheme benefiting their life and livelihood, along with increasing awareness about this.
Chief Minister Arjun Munda asked the mining industry in Jharkhand to be concerned about human development.
Munda, who could not make it to the Confederation of Indian Industries' day-long conference on 'Sustainable Mining -- The Road Ahead', said in a message that, "Human development matters most to the government."
The former CII chairman and Telcon managing director Ranaveer Sinha said, “The lowest human development index in mining areas is the biggest challenge the industry is facing. Unfortunately, this trend is persistent all over the world and people live in penury in most mineral-rich areas. This trend has to be reversed and sustainable development is the need of the hour”
He also underlined the reluctance of mining companies to share revenue, apart from conducting corporate social responsibility.
CCL advocated the idea of reclamation of land-
Echoing a similar sentiment, the Central Coalfields CMD Gopal Singh said, “There is certainly a massive side effect of mining activities in the social and environmental but business is necessary as well,” he stated.
“Almost 50 per cent of the power generated is based on coal and we need power for a better quality of life. But that should come by adopting cleaner mechanisms. Gone are the days, when miners ignore environmental concerns,” Gopal Singh added.
He hinted at a policy by the Coal Ministry in which returning land to land losers after mining or reclamation of land is being considered.
Gopal Singh also spoke about adopting a philanthropic attitude towards the society which, he said, would surely mitigate the resistance coming from land owners.
Former Coal India chairman and managing director PS Bhattacharyya said mining people must not only react to circumstances arising from mining but also take proactive steps to undo the trouble.
“Degradation of land has not been taken care of, which could have been converted into productive land with some investment. It should be the duty of the companies,” he pointed out.
The conference had leaders from mining industry, who explored possibilities of human development in areas of mining. Although mining is plagued by problems ranging from ecological, environmental, human development to deforestation, still it can flourish, feel experts.
PR/Media Consultant
1 comment:
Well documented article.
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