The Orissa Minerals Traders Association (OMTA), the newly formed trading association representing about 200 mineral traders of the state, has sought the renewal of trading license of the traders whose trading licenses have expired and pending for renewal.
It also urged the government to issue legal permits for the transportation of minerals in the mining belts in general and Joda mining circle in particular.
Addressing the media here, Pranakrushna Nayak, president, OMTA alleged, since the mining scam surfaced in Orissa, the state mines department has stopped issuing transit pass/permit. They are also not renewing the trading license though all the requirements have been fulfilled.
Since the mineral traders have no role in the mining scam, they need to be issued permit or transit pass to carry on their business. While two lakh tonne of mineral are traded every month in Orissa, due to non-issue of permits and non-renewal of trading license, their business has come to a standstill.
This has also affected the transport sector and a large number of trucks are now lying idle, Nayak said, adding, those engaged in the loading and unloading operations are also sitting without work.
He said, the traders are unable to deliver the contractual material to the buyers, most of whom are from outside the state, in the absence of the permits. As a result, the traders, who incurred huge losses during the recession period, are unable to recover even after the market conditions have improved, he pointed out.