Times of India: Rajkot: Thursday,
January 30, 2014.
Taking on the
state’s mining mafia head-on is not an easy task, especially when many of those
involved enjoy the patronage of politicians. But this did not deter visually
impaired Right To Information (RTI) crusader Ratna Ala to save the gauchar (pastoral)
land in his village from illegal mining.
Deputy
sarpanch of Rangpar village in Morbi district Ala used RTI to compel government
authorities to take action against illegal mining.
Braving
threats and withstanding money offers, Ala relentlessly pursued the menace and
helped government earn Rs 12 lakh as fine for illegal mining.
It may be
recalled that RTI activist Amit Jethwa was gunned down after he took on
Junagadh BJP MP Dinu Solanki for mining natural resources illegally. Though he
is blind, Ala could see how the natural resources in his village were being
mined illegally that too on gauchar land. The culprits were scooping out moram,
a particular kind of soft gravel from the grazing land.
“It was
difficult task to fight against illegal mining as economic interests and
corrupt practices are involved. But I decided to fight till the mining mafias
are not fined. I was often threatened and pursued to stop,” Ala said.
“My
complaints were endorsed by the government and finally two units involved in
the illegal mining and storage were fined,’’ said Ala, who was awarded Rahul
Mangoakar award for RTI by The Times of India. Sources in the geology and
mining department said they receive around 10-15 complaints of illegal mining
daily through written communication and the helpline.
Earlier, Ala
had used RTI to get roads and drinking water to his village. He was elected as
deputy sarpanch in 2012 after which he started the crusade against illegal
mining.
State’s
geology and mining department carried out checking and later on fined Rs 12
lakh to two units under Gujarat Minerals (Prevention of illegal mining
transportation and storage) Rules-2005.
“Villagers
have elected me as deputy sarpanch and it’s my responsibility to save its
natural resources and the gauchar land,’’ Ala added.
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