Orissa to challenge order of Mining Tribunal

"We will challenge the September 26 judgement of the tribunal which set aside Orissa government`s refusal of grant of mining lease in favour of RBT," steel and mines minister Raghunath Mohanty told reporters here.

The state government earlier on July 20, 2010 had refused to grant of iron ore and manganese mining lease to RBT over an area of 96.568 hectare in village Katasahi of Keonjhar district after finding the private firm indulged in illegal mining activities.

Though the state government had earlier granted prospecting licence to RBT, it did not recommend the firm`s name for mining lease required for starting mining activities.

Meanwhile, it came to the notice of the state government that the firm had already started mining activities even without having the mandatory mining lease.