C’garh urges Centre to set up mining fund

Faced with the problem of adverse effects on environment and ecology due to mineral exploration and development,the Chhattisgarh Government has urged the Centre to constitute a specific fund to help the state to cover the costs of resource development through mining operations.

“The costs of resource development are difficult to quantify and are often ignored. These get transferred from the project owner — who should pay for the costs — to the Government which has to ultimately bear them,” the state Government said in a memorandum submitted to the 13th Finance Commission.

Official sources said mineral exploitation caused displacement of local communities and loss of land required for livelihood. There is also increased morbidity and mortality and demographic changes due to migration.