Some deaths occurred in illegal mica mines, admits Jharkhand CM

Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Thursday said there are illegal mica mines due to which some deaths have happened and to check such practices in future the state government is planning to float tenders in a couple of months for e-auction these mines. He said this in a response to a question on a report which alleged a "cover-up" on child deaths in mica mines in 4 states including Jharkhand.

"The mica mines are illegal due to which some deaths have happened. We are in the process of issuing tenders in a couple of months so that mica is sold through e-auction to alleviate such malpractices," Das said at a press conference here. Jharkhand's Mines and Geology Secretary Sunil Kumar Barnwal said: "Mica has recently been categorised as a minor mineral, earlier it was a major mineral. Now, the state government can grant. State government is modifying its rule. 

These minerals will also be allotted through auction. Once that is there we will put these Mica mines on auction". Referring to the issue, Barnwal said: "We will take care of that. The state government is very serious about it". Das was here for a roadshow to invite investors to the Global Investor Summit being hosted by the state in February next year.