Odisha, Jharkhand to check iron ore smuggling

India Gazette (IANS) Thursday 9th February, 2012

Mineral rich Odisha and Jharkhand have decided to take joint measures to prevent cross-border transport of iron ore mined illegally, an official said Thursday.

Senior officials of both states met at Jamshedpur in Jharkhand Wednesday and discussed the need to launch a joint offensive, Manoj Ahuja, secretary of Odisha's steel and mines department, told IANS.

He said the states decided to set up three or four joint checkposts along their border and increase surveillance.

Emphasis was given on the need to share mining-related information between the two states on a regular basis.

"We will meet every six months. The next meeting will be held in Odisha," said Ahuja, who attended the meeting.

Odisha is India's top iron ore producing state.

It started a crackdown on illegal mining in July 2009 following allegations of operations without licences.

It has taken several measures over the past years to check transportation of iron ore mined illegally.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has sought a ban on iron ore export from the country to ensure that domestic steelmakers have enough of the raw material.