TV
Bhubaneswar: Indicating that the final report on the status of mining in Odisha would be submitted in the last week of July, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) on Tuesday asked the state government to examine prima facie evidence against four more mines for violation of Rule 37 under the Mineral Concession Rules-1960.
"Though the state government had earlier found eight lessees violating Rule 37 under MC Rules, the CEC today asked it to examine the cases of four more mines," Director of Mines Deepak Mohanty said after attending a meeting of the CEC members and mines lease holders here.
Six of the eight miners have already challenged the state government's charges and moved the revision authority under the Union mines ministry against the Odisha government.
Asked whether the CEC issued the order based on the recommendations of the M B Shah panel, Mohanty said, "CEC has nothing to do with the the Shah panel though they may consider some of the cases mentioned in the report."
Appointed by the Supreme Court, the CEC is undertaking an independent assessment of status of mining activities in the state.
During its two-day visit to the state which began yesterday, the CEC team comprising M K Jiwrajka and M M Vyas interacted with some mines lease holders, particularly with the 26 lessees whose mines have been issued temporary closure notice basing on a Supreme Court order.
"The CEC members may consider making field visits if required," Mohanty said, adding the CEC also recorded clarification of the lessees on the state government's action against them. The team members also discussed on mines area demarcation done by use of Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS).
The CEC also discussed the temporary closure of 26 iron ore and manganese mines and the members sought clarification from the state government about the express order issued in favour of eight of the 26 mines put on temporary closure.
The state government, sources said, clarified it had issued the express order in favour of eight mines based on their captive use.
The Supreme Court had ordered temporary closure of 26 mines in Odisha for non-renewal of leases following the recommendation of the CEC that about 40 mines in the state were operating under the provision of "deemed renewed" leases well after the expiry of their lease period.
