In a fresh effort to curb illegal mining in the state, the Orissa Government and authorities of different ports today resolved to work in tandem by sharing information regarding export of minerals on regular basis.

“Authorities of Haldia and Visakhapatnam ports today agreed to share information on export of minerals through their facilities from November,” the Chief Secretary, Mr B.K. Patnaik, told reporters after meeting with the authorities of Paradip, Haldia, Visakhapatnam and Dhamra ports here.

Stating that Paradip Port Trust had been fully cooperative with the State Government, the Chief Secretary said, “Henceforth, the authorities of Haldia port and Visakhapatnam port will also submit details of the minerals being exported though their facilities every fortnight.”

Two absent

Though two more Andhra Pradesh-based ports such as Kakinada and Gangavaram were invited to join the meeting, they did not turn up today, he said adding bulk of iron ore was being exported to foreign countries through ports at Paradip, Haldia and Visakhapatnam.

Today's meeting was significant as it was convened barely a week after Orissa government drew attention of the Cabinet Secretary and the Ministry of Mines alleging that the port authorities of Haldia and Vishakhapatnam were not sharing any information on the volume of iron ore being exported by using their facilities.

Paradip model

“Among others, the port authorities were asked to keep information on which vehicles carried how much cargo to their berths from which place, name of consigners and photo copies of permit,” a senior official of Steel and Mines Department said adding the port authorities would submit information to the Deputy Director of Mines every fortnight.

Port authorities of Haldia and Visakhapatnam were also told to adopt the model being implemented by the PPT while exporting raw materials.

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