Bilaspur: The Mineral Department has taken action on two coal depots and imposed a penalty of Rs 10 lakh. Based on the complaint, the Mineral Department has imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh 43 thousand 940 and a fine of Rs 4 lakh 32 thousand on Pendridih-based Vedanta Minerals in the case of illegal coal-stone storage and coal theft at Maurya Coal Depot.
Romi Maurya Coal Depot was running at Mohtarai in Ratanpur area. The license of the depot was canceled on 12 July 2023, but the depot was being run by the operator. Transporter Pankaj Singh Gandhi had filed a case of adulteration by stealing B-grade G-5 coal from Vijay West mine of Chirmiri at Romi Maurya depot. A notice was issued to the illegal depot operator to certify the validity of the mineral. On which a fine of Rs 5,43,940/- has been imposed after cross-testing of illegal mineral quantity.
Apart from this, the department had also received a complaint regarding the irregular operation of the depot operator in violation of storage rules and conditions in relation to Vedanta Minerals. After investigation by the Mineral Staff, a penalty of Rs 4 lakh 32000 has been imposed.
Chhattisgarh, India’s coal heartland, pulsates with a network of coal depots. These bustling hubs cater to diverse needs, from supplying fuel to industries and power plants to providing domestic coal for everyday cooking. Cities like Raipur, Bilaspur, and Korba host major depots, bustling with trucks laden with black gold. Smaller, local depots dot rural areas, offering accessible fuel for villagers. With concerns about air pollution and environmental impact, some depots are exploring cleaner alternatives like briquettes and biomass, adapting to a changing landscape.
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