The opposition in Haryana on Saturday criticized the BJP-JJP government for allowing defaulting mining concession holders (mining contractors) to resume mining operations by granting flexibilities for the payment of the outstanding amount.

Minors must ₹553 crores to the state government and failed to settle dues despite the introduction of a one-time settlement scheme, ‘Vivadon Ka Samadhan’.

According to data from the Department of Mines and Geology, 38 of the state’s 48 operational mines have failed to pay government dues and operations at 13 have been suspended.

However, most of the suspended mines have resumed operations in the past 48 hours after relaxations were granted, officials said. The maximum number of defaulters is in Yamunanagar (21), followed by 13 in Charkhi Dadri.

Revenue collection from minerals has dropped drastically ₹1,020 crores in 2020-21 for ₹685 crore in 2021-22 (until Feb 11, 2022), according to official records.

Reacting to the Hindustan Times story on easing given to defaulting mining contractors, former minister Karan Singh Dalal says the BJP-JJP government has compromised the state interest by allowing defaulting miners to take over their activities.

“Instead of penalizing them, why is the government ready to play the game at the expense of the public treasury? The sharp drop in revenue from minerals is a clear indication that the government is soft on failing mining contractors,” Dalal said.

Criticizing the move, Faridabad NIT Congress MP Neeraj Sharma said he questioned the introduction of the ‘Vivadon Ka Samadhan’ ad hoc settlement scheme in the state assembly.

“The BJP-JJP government is anti-poor. They are quick to disconnect the power connections of the poor if they don’t pay their bills for even a day or two. And here the government is so magnanimous that relaxations have been granted to influential mining contractors. Why is there such a big flaw? And why were miners allowed to operate mines? It’s a big scam,” Sharma said.

Mulana Congress MLA Varun Chaudhary said mining contractors cannot be trusted to pay the dues. “There have been instances where checks issued by mining companies have been dishonoured. So, they cannot be trusted. They can only be allowed to resume mining operations after paying their fees. This easing will not help the public treasury and it is heavily loaded in the interests of mining companies. The government must review the decision in the interests of the state,” Chaudhary said.

Ambala Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Chitra Sarwara has accused the state government of indirectly colluding with failing companies. “As the state loses resources, some private companies are allowed to siphon off public revenue. Instead of recovering the stock from the mining companies and finding better players, the state government allows the same group of defaulters to thrive and bleed the public treasury,” Sarwara said.