Business Standard reported that the vigilance department in Odisha has initiated cases against mine owners in connection with illegal mining.
Mr Rajani Kant Singh minister for steel & mines said that the miners against whom cases have been lodged include ML Rungta, Rungta Mines Ltd, Indrani Patnaik and Sirajuddin & Company. All these mine owners have their leases under Joda circle in Keonjhar district.
It may be noted that illegal mining, chiefly of iron ore and manganese ore, has snowballed into a major issue in the state with both the Supreme Court appointed MB Shah Commission of enquiry and the Central empowered committee, also appointed by the apex court investigating into statutory violation by lessees.
During its last visit to Odisha from October 31st November 11th, the Shah Commission had raised serious concern on mining beyond leasehold area. The commission probing into cases of large scale mining of iron ore and manganese ore without lawful authority, was expected to submit its report soon on illegal mining in Odisha.
The panel had verified the records of around 150 iron ore mining leases during its recent visit to the state.
Of late, the Shah Commission had sought a detailed response from the government on the impact of suspension of scores of mine leases on the state's economy.
Following the mines department's clampdown to curb irregularities in mining activities, only 129 of a total of 600 mining leases in the state are currently operational. While 240 mines have been suspended on account of lack of statutory clearances, 140 others have been temporarily discontinued.
More recently, a team of officials of CEC had also held talks with top officials of state government. The CEC team had urged the officials to expedite the process of renewal of mine lease applications.
The CEC report said that "Under the garb of deemed extension clause of Mineral Concession Rules-1960 and because of the non implementation of the provisions of the Forest Act and the other applicable Rules and Guidelines, widespread and rampant illegal mining operations have been taking place in Odisha. The organized illegal mining is taking place with the active support of the state government and has resulted in the breakdown of the constitutional machinery.”
