Question : EXCAVATION WORK IN DEVBHOG DIAMOND MINES

(a) whether the Union Govt. have accorded permission for excavation work in the Devbhog diamond mines of Madhya Pradesh;

(b) if not, the action being taken by the Government for illegal excavation work being done in the above mines;

(c) whether the Government are aware that on the pretext of examining diamond material, the Madhya Pradesh Government is sending raw diamond material to Australia;

(d) if so, whether the said decision is in the interest of the country and the State; and

(e) if not, the steps being taken by the Government to stop the practice of sending diamond material abroad in the name of examining the same?

THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS, SPORTS AND MINES (SHRI SUKHDEV SINGH DHINDSA)

(a) to (e) : In Raipur district of Madhya Pradesh, M/s. B. Vijaykumar Chhattisgarh Exploration Pvt. Ltd., (BVCEL), Raipur has been granted prospecting licence for aerial survey, exploration and evaluation of diamond deposits over an area of 4600 sq. kms. in Behradih Block, for a period of 3 years vide State Government of Madhya Pradesh order dated 16.12.99 and the PL deed was executed on 25.1.2000. Deobhog area of Raipur district is a part of Behradih Block.

2. As reported by the Government of Madhya Pradesh, no permission for excavation or mining of diamond or allied minerals has been granted to any one in the area. The Government of Madhya Pradesh has not received any report of illegal excavation of diamond or allied minerals in Deobhog area.

3. BVCEL was accorded permission to send two batches of 5000 kgs. Kimberlite rock and soil samples for testing at laboratories located at Perth (Western Australia) and Johannesberg (South Africa) vide State Government`s letters dated 19.4.2000 and 4.7.2000. According to the State Government, the testing results of the first lot reported so far are very encouraging and indicate possibilities of diamondiferrous kimberlite pipes in Behradih Block of Raipur district.