ET reported that Orissa government has said it is not getting required cooperation from the authorities of Haldia and Vizag ports worried over the illegal transportation of iron ore from some mines in the state as detected by the Central Vigilance Commission.

Mr BK Patnaik Chief Secretary said "The authorities of ports in Haldia and Vizag are not providing adequate information on export of minerals while Paradip Port Trust has been cooperating."

Mr Patnaik was responding to a question on CVC observation that many iron ore miners including those in Orissa were defrauding railways a few thousand crore rupees by passing off export consignments of ore for domestic consumption.

Stating that the state government would soon convene a meeting of port authorities on the questionable export of minerals, particularly the iron ore, the chief secretary pointed out that Haldia and Vizag ports were not fully cooperating though several letters had been written to them.

Mr Patnaik said "We have also sought intervention of the cabinet secretary in this regard, adding the Ministry of Shipping had also asked the port authorities to join the operation against illegal mining and their transportation. He also said but the port authorities were yet to rise to the occasion to cooperate with the state government to prevent such practice.”

The chief secretary however said the state government had been collecting certain information on export of iron ore through Haldia and Vizag ports by engaging its officers.

Iron ore from mines in Orissa and Jharkhand were sent to Haldia, Vizag, Paradip and Gangavaram ports for exports. Meanwhile, the state government had decided to engage the special task force to keep a tab on the amount of iron ore being transported for the purpose of export.

(Sourced from Economic Times)