The recent spate of exposures of mining related corruption in India, doesn't auger well for the Indian mining scene! We have seen how the mining barons and politicians in Karnataka can bring the entire process of governance to a standstill. We are also witnessing how an ex-Chief Minister in Jharkhand, who interestingly never had a political party to represent, amassed massive black-money through mammoth scale corruption in granting leases and licenses. Same story in the Orissa iron ore belt, which led to sacking of many senior mining bureaucrats a couple of months back. Interestingly, as in the Karnataka and the Jharkhand case, we saw that the collusion in these possible corruptions extends beyond the state and political boundaries.Should corruption be a necessary corollary for mining in India? On the face of it, the Indian regulatory system is quite tough and stringent - be it approvals and grants related to leasing and permittings, or be it related to environment and forestry clearances, or requirements of public hearing processes! Obviously, just having tough laws is not enough!What else India needs to remove corruption from the mining industry - transparency in decision making, greater involvement of civil society, simplification of regulatory system or perhaps a larger broadbased cultural shift in the society's tolerance of corruption? Would be good to hear views from all concerned in this forum.
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No doubt India has strict environmental laws, but what I feel is that lack of transparency and control of decision making process by the vested interest politicians has made it a joke. So, we require a effective EIA process, transparent, accountable decision making process along with the greater public participation in the process of decision making. Also we need to increase awareness among the people. Moreover, the law system must be free from all sorts of influence from these politicians or other people so that the strict laws can be implemented in the real sense.
I do agree that Indian regulatory system is quite stringent and should be more stringent.But on the other hand it is creating oppertunity to earn illegal money for related officials in associated with approvals,grants for leasing and permitting,requirement of public hearing processes,environment and forest clearance etc.Therefore, greater involvement of civil society is necessary.
It is true.The entire process of governance is faulty ,therefore some government corrupt officials along with politicians having muscle power could be able to earn a huge amount shamelessly as a result of which common man of that localities are not getting food to eat.
So, you have rightly told that we need a strong and civil society.
True, the recent spate of exposures of mining related corruption in India, doesn't auger well for India. We have seen how and what the mining barons and politicians in Karnataka could do to disgrace the entire process of governance and development. When millions were languishing in relief camps in the flood-hit northern distrcts of Karnataka, these shameless mine-based ministers from Bellary were manipuating and conspiring with their henchmen in Goa and Hyderabad to bring down their own Government for their selfish ends. This is the quality of politicians we have at the moment. These power-hungry people with no character of any worth are prepared to do anything and everything for their own survival and growth! These rebel ministers began mining business just a decade ago and now they have built an empire of their own with mussle and money power!!! Same is the case in Jharkhand, Orissa and many other states.
Shame to the system that we have built! To curb this menace, we need 'not just a tough law', but 'a strong and tough civil society'.
Replies
No doubt India has strict environmental laws, but what I feel is that lack of transparency and control of decision making process by the vested interest politicians has made it a joke. So, we require a effective EIA process, transparent, accountable decision making process along with the greater public participation in the process of decision making. Also we need to increase awareness among the people. Moreover, the law system must be free from all sorts of influence from these politicians or other people so that the strict laws can be implemented in the real sense.
I do agree that Indian regulatory system is quite stringent and should be more stringent.But on the other hand it is creating oppertunity to earn illegal money for related officials in associated with approvals,grants for leasing and permitting,requirement of public hearing processes,environment and forest clearance etc.Therefore, greater involvement of civil society is necessary.
It is true.The entire process of governance is faulty ,therefore some government corrupt officials along with politicians having muscle power could be able to earn a huge amount shamelessly as a result of which common man of that localities are not getting food to eat.
So, you have rightly told that we need a strong and civil society.
Shame to the system that we have built! To curb this menace, we need 'not just a tough law', but 'a strong and tough civil society'.