SAMBALPUR: Compensation and penalties, running into thousands of crores, imposed on several mining operators under the Sambalpur mining circle remain unrealised, with most of the disputed cases pending before courts.
Information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by social activist Pratik Khamari has brought to light the status of compensation and penalty demands against 12 mines under the mining circle covering Sambalpur, Bargarh, Deogarh and Jharsuguda districts.
According to the document provided by the mining department, compensation and penalties totalling Rs 2,981.78 crores were demanded from 12 mines under Section 21(5) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 that governs the recovery of value and compensation for unauthorised or illegal mineral extraction. Of this, three mines deposited their dues in full, amounting to approximately Rs 5.55 crores. The remaining nine mines have outstanding dues of Rs 2,976.23 crores.
Of the nine mines with outstanding dues, eight cases have been marked as sub judice in the official document, while the dues against Bhikampali Quartzite Mines have been marked as not deposited.
The three mines that have paid their demanded amounts in full are Chhuinpal Quartzite Mines, operated by TRL Krosaki Refractories Ltd, which deposited Rs 5.40 crore; Putka Limestone Mines, operated by J. Pramanik, which deposited Rs 10.51 lakh; and Jhankarpali Chinaclay Mines, operated by P. Ghose, which deposited Rs 4.30 lakh.
Several mines listed in the document were granted leases decades ago, including six operated by MCL dating back to the 1970s and 1980s.
Khamari said, “Local communities bear the brunt of extraction, yet the benefits of mineral wealth are not adequately reflected in their lives. While people continue to suffer, thousands of crores in dues remain unrealised, raising questions about accountability and the protection of mining-affected communities,”
Authorities declined to comment on the matter, citing the pendency of cases. Official sources said royalty from mines under the circle was collected by the Union government, and maintained that amendments to the MMDR Act would not affect the royalty in question.