With the mega mining scam hitting the headlines, it was free for all to visit the mines and putting the mine owners in the dock.

All and sundry started visiting the mines, ask questions and found busy in inspecting the mines.

Mine owners on their part filed criminal cases against unauthorized persons, which have led to unsavoury scene.

Now the State Government has come to the rescue of the mining lease holders.

Department of Steel & Mines (DOSM) has banned the unlawful entry into private mining lease in a notification.

DOSM directive issued to all the Collectors and SPs has categorically banned entry of all unauthorized persons to the mines.

Section 24(1) of M&M (D&R) Act, 1957 provides that any person authorized by Central or State Government can alone enter and inspect the mines.

Those authorized persons can further take action as provided in the Act and Rules.

Rule 48(6) of the Mines Act,1952 provides “No person shall enter any open cast working or any working below the ground unless he has been permitted by the Manager or is authorized under this Act.

With this order Collectors have been asked to restrain any sort of unlawful entry to the mines.

However any person intending to visit the mines should follow the Laws of the Land and take prior permission from the competent authority.