Odishatv Bureau
Bhubaneswar: Orissa government today sought the Centre`s help in curbing illegal mining activities in the state as it is not getting expected cooperation from ports, customs and Indian Bureau of Mines, official sources said.

It said that unless there were "coordinated and concerted" efforts among various agencies of the Union government and the state government, it would be very difficult to curb the menace, the sources said.

"The state government stands committed to curb illegal mining and it is essential that the Ports and Customs authorities set up requisite systems for monitoring and also sharing information on a regular basis with the state for verification of mineral being exported from the state," Chief Secretary B K Patnaik told the Cabinet Secretary Ajit Kumar Seth in a letter.

Referring to a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary on May 20, 2010, Patnaik pointed out that though the Ministry of Shipping had advised all ports to adopt the measures taken by Paradip Port Trust (PPT) authorities to streamline movement of consignment by roads and rail to the ports for export purpose, no ports implement it.

Stating that ore originating from Orissa is exported mainly through Paradip Port and the ports of neighbouring states namely Haldia Port, Vishakhapatanam Port, Kakinada and Gangavaram Ports, Patnaik said that it is necessary in the interest of the efficient mineral administration that all the ports, do take the measures taken by PPT authorities.

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