BHUBANESWAR: Uncertain about the quantum of penalty to be collected from mining lease holders for extraction of minerals in violation of norms, the State Government has convened a meeting on August 8 to discuss the Supreme Court order on illegal mining.“We will take a decision on the issue after consulting legal experts. We are analysing legal aspects of the apex court’s judgment. The whole amount can be assessed by next week. The judgment will impact Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) among others,” Chief Secretary AP Padhi said.The State Government has imposed a penalty of `2,142 crore on OMC for excess mining of ore and violation of forest and environmental norms.
The Supreme Court has noted that notices have been issued in 146 cases to various lease holders for recovery of mined ore as per Section 21(5) of the MMDR Act.In the Koira circle, notices have been issued to 55 lessees for recovery of more than `13,000 crore while in Joda circle, 72 lessees have to pay over `44,000 crore.Similarly, notices were issued to four lessees in Keonjhar circle for recovery of about `1,065 crore, three in Koraput for `44 crore and one in Balangir for recovery of `29.5 crore.In Baripada circle, notices were issued to 11 lessees for recovery of more than `467 crore. The State Government had issued notices to the lessees for recovery of more than `59,000 crore.
According to the CEC, the total notional value of minerals produced without an environmental clearance or in excess of the environmental clearance at the weighted average price of minerals as proposed by the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) comes to about `17,091.24 crore for iron ore and about ` 484.92 crore for manganese ore making a total of `17,576.16 crore.Meanwhile, the BJP accused the State Government of creating confusion on the amount of fine to be imposed to protect the interests of the erring mining companies.“It is clearly mentioned on page 29 of the Supreme Court judgment that Odisha Government has issued notice to lessees to recover a total `59,000 crore. Why is the State Government creating confusion again?,” wondered State BJP general secretary Bhrugu Baxipatra.
He alleged that the Government is creating confusion over the content of page 16 of the judgment copy which only mentions `17,576 crore penalty for violations pertaining to environmental clearances.
Refuting the BJP allegations, Minister of State for Steel and Mines Prafulla Mallick said there is no confusion in it and the Government’s stand is clear. Strict action will be initiated as per the court order.