Kalinga times reports that a new squad has been formed to check the theft of minerals from rich regions in Orissa. Excerpts:

… Orissa government has finally decided to constitute a special enforcement squad to conduct frequent raids to check theft and illegal transportation of various minerals in different parts of the State.

The decision about formation of the special squad was taken at a review meeting organised by the Steel and Mines Department of the State government here on Wednesday.

The squad, to be named State Mining Enforcement Squad, will be headed by a Mining Department official. It will also have an official of the Forest Department and 12 security personnel.

The squad will be put in place within a month, the meeting decided.

Steel and Mines Minister Padmanabha Behera who presided over the meeting has requested the Forest and Homes Departments to depute their staff for the squad.

In fact, it took the Steel and Mines Department seven months to take a formal decision on the formation of the special squad.

In a statement issued after a similar review meeting held in February this year, the Department had announced that it would constitute a squad to check smuggling of minerals.

Smuggling of minerals has been growing in the State in the recent years.

A total of 322 persons were booked by the Mines Department from April 1, 2006 to January 31 this year and fine amount of Rs 3.25 crore was collected from them.

Besides, 191 vehicles used in illegal transportation of different minerals were also seized during the period.”

I hope this does not get lost in bureaucratic hassles.