In a bid to prevent illegalmining, Odisha government has decided to cancel the leaseof certain mines, whose renewal was due between February 1987and September 1994 by changing some provisions in the MiningConcession Rules, 1960.
The state government has also sought prior approval ofthe Central Government for renewal of lease prior to December20,1999. Therefore, renewal made in violation of thisprovision before this date is invalid, official sources saidtoday.
The Principal Secretary of steel and mines departmentasked the Director of Mines to identify such leases.
"Therefore, you are asked to suspend the operation ofthe mines, if any of them are currently working," Steel andMines Secretary said in a letter to the Mines Director.
The director was also asked to furnish a report to thegovernment within 15 days giving details of cases whererenewal of mining lease has been deemed to have been refusedduring February 10, 1987 to September 25, 1994.