The Sundargarh administration on Wednesday sent over 1,000 files for scrutiny by the M B Shah Commission of Inquiry. A six-member team of Justice MB Shah Commission reached Bhubaneswar on Wednesday to inquire into the alleged irregularities in the mining sector in the State.
Among other things, the administration has submitted information on database of mines, amount of mineral extraction, leased out mining areas, mode of transportation and methodology of monitoring.
The Koida mining sector in the district, having huge deposits of iron ore followed by manganese, bauxite and small amounts of other minerals, had hogged the limelight amid allegations of widespread mineral thefts.
Shah himself in December last year had visited the mines in adjacent Keonjhar district, but skipped spot verification of Koida mines.
Administrative sources said so far they have not receive any communication from the panel regarding visit to the district.
Collector Rupa Roshan Sahu said the information sought by the State Government was furnished for examination by the Commission. It is learnt, the police also separately submitted a report to the government for perusal of the Commission. Of the total 71 mines in the Koida sector hardly two dozen are in operation as rest of the mines have remained closed for nearly a year for technical reasons, including non-compliance to norms.