Virendra Gahwai, Bilaspur. The Mineral Department has taken action on two coal depots and imposed a penalty of Rs 10 lakh. On the basis of 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 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.