BHUBANESWAR: The State-owned Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) has drawn flak from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for keeping bulk of its mining blocks inoperative for a period ranging from seven to 37 years while incurring huge expenditure towards dead rent and security service.
Of the 34 mining leases granted to OMC, 26 were inoperative.
In case of eight out of 26 inoperative mines, the corporation did not commence any mining operations since inception. Though 18 mines were operated during the lease period, subsequently, these mines remained inoperative for a period ranging from seven to 37 years.“Non-operation of mines resulted in unfruitful expenditure of `57.26 crore towards dead rent and watch ward expenses,” the audit report said.