The State Government has set up an inter-departmental committee to consider cases for renewal of mining leases, a large number which had been pending for the last 10 years.
The 12-member committee, headed by the Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, will examine applications for renewal of mining lease for statutory clearance, a notification by the Steel and Mines Department said.
Other members of the committee are: Secretaries of Steel and Mines, Forest and Environment, Revenue and Disaster Management departments, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, (wildlife), Director of Environment, Director of Mines, Director of Geology, Chief Executive Officer, Odisha Remote Sensing Application Centre, and Member-secretary of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board.
Special Secretary (may be additional or joint secretary in-charge of the renewal activities) of the Steel and Mines Department will act as the member-convenor of the committee, it said.
Proposals for renewal of mining leases shall be put up by the Steel and Mines Department along with the recommendation of the committee before the State Government for the final approval or recommendation to the Central Government, as the case may be, under the provision of MM (DR) Act, 1957, and the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960, or otherwise, the notification said. Official or expert (s) having knowledge in mining, forest, environment and wildlife may also be invited to assist the committee, it added.