Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported on the mining scandals in India in a 70-page report called “Out of Control: Mining, Regulatory Failure and Human Rights in India”.
The report says that the failure of the government to enforce mining laws and to supervise whether mining operators are complying with the mining laws of India has caused damages to the health, water, environment and livelihoods of local communities.
“Mining operations often cause immense destruction when government doesn’t exercise proper oversight,” Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said.
The report was based on a survey of more than 80 people in the states of Goa and Karnataka-two mineral-rich states that have been hit by mining scandals recently-and also activists, affected communities, government officials and mining companies.
Mining scandals have grabbed headlines in India recently. Last August, BS Yeddyurappa resigned as Karnataka chief minister after he was alleged of illegal mining scandal. The state ombudsman said it had cost Karnataka $400m (£250m). Mr Yeddyurappa denies the charges.
India is the largest producer of sheet mica, the third largest producer of iron ore and the fifth largest producer of bauxite in the world.
India’s metal and mining industry was estimated to be $106.4bn (£68.5bn) in 2010.
