Kutra: Unemployment is acquiring serious proportions in Sundargarh district due to closure of several limestone and dolomite mines under this block, a report said.
The closure of mines has rendered hundreds of labourers jobless, the report said. This has led to a spurt in migration as the unemployed are leaving for other states in search of livelihood. At the same time, many, who are without work, have resorted to anti-social activities to earn a livelihood and, hence, the crime graph in the area is rising.
Reports said that the mines of owned by Tata Steel, Mishrilal Mines, Kapur Mines and OCL are lying closed due to various reasons despite the presence of several industries in adjoining Rajgangpur block.
Experts, however, have a piece of advice to solve the unemployment problem. They said that the rainwater stored in the abandoned mines can be used for irrigating the farmlands in the region. This will help prevent the labourers from migrating to other states and draw them towards agriculture to earn their livelihood.
However, lack of efforts on part of the district administration and agricultural authorities have spoiled the chances of using the rainwater for irrigation.
Reports said that a limestone mine of Tata Steel is lying closed for more than a year after the expiry of its lease. Hundreds of youths under the block were employed in the mine. However, they lost their jobs after its closure. It has been lying abandoned since then and large craters which have been created earlier are filled with rainwater.
Residents have demanded that the district administration use motor pumps to supply the accumulated rainwater to their farmlands. It will help them to irrigate their crops and ensure a better harvest.
PNN