Odisha yet to recover Rs 2,723 crore penalty from 23 mine owners; certificate cases filed

Certificate cases have been registered as 23 mine owners are yet to pay a penalty of Rs 2,723 crore towards excess mining in Odisha. The information was shared by Industries Minister Bibhuti Jena in a written reply to a question raised by independent MLA Sarada Nayak.

Earlier, Supreme Court had ordered the Odisha government for collection of Rs 17, 576.30 crore penalty from 133 mines based on the Shah Commission’s recommendations on August 2, 2017.

The Minister further informed that the government has filed certificate cases against the defaulting mining companies. The cases have been filed under Odisha Demands Recovery Act, 1962.

The cases were filed as the defaulting mining companies could not pay up the penalty during the stipulated time frame. Sources said that the state government has also asked concerned district Collectors to initiate action for the recovery of the penalty amount.