Kelzar Murrum Mining Row Escalates After ‘Night Ops’

Wardha: After raising concerns over permission for murrum excavation at a hill in Kelzar village of Selu taluka, local residents have alleged night-time mining in violation of rules. Aurangabad-based Piyush Infratech Private Ltd has been granted permission to excavate 52,000 brass of murrum from the hillock. Videos of alleged night-time excavation have gone viral on social media, prompting villagers and political leaders to seek action against the company. Activists and villagers warned of protest if no action is taken. Wardha MP Amar Kale has written to principal secretary of revenue department, demanding an inquiry into the permission granted for excavation, citing the hill's proximity to major routes including Nagpur-Tuljapur road and Samruddhi Expressay. "No action has been taken even after a month," he said. NCP's state organisation secretary Rana Rannaware alleged that despite viral videos of night-time excavation, the district administration has failed to act under Section 79 of the Maharashtra Minor Mineral Excavation Rules. He alleged the excavation is happening in connivance with revenue officials, the Selu tehsildar and the sub-divisional officer. Kale said, "The district administration is not taking the matter seriously. As per the 2013 Minor Mineral Excavation Rules, mining is prohibited within 500 metres of a national highway, yet permission has been granted at a distance of only 70 metres." He added that he would write to CM Devendra Fadnavis and, if no action is taken, will bring a breach of privilege motion in monsoon session of Parliament. Sub-divisional officer Deepak Karande refuted the allegations, saying, "The district collector has granted permission for excavation, and the company is carrying out work during the day." Karande claimed teams from the tehsil office visited the site four to five times, and he too inspected it twice, "but no excavation was found at night". Vishal Gedam, GM of Piyush Infratech Private Ltd, Vidarbha region, said, "Due permissions have been obtained. Excavations may have been done 1-2 nights earlier, but now the work is going on during the day."
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