Last month, the Jajpur collector had sent legal notices to some mining firms of the district for violation of environmental rules under Environment Protection (EP) Act.
“Regarding offences by legal entity like any company, firms and lessees, they are also liable to be prosecuted for violation of the law along with its officers and employees instead of filing prosecutions only against site managers or junior employees,” said B Samant, state environment director in a letter to the collector.
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“You are requested to take expeditious action to file prosecution against the defaulting mines and report compliance,” he added in the letter.
As many as 12 mining lessees have been issued notices for alleged violation of environmental law and undertaking illegal mining in Jajpur district of Odisha. They have been asked to reply within two months as to why legal action will not be initiated against them for the violations.
The mining companies who have been sent notices to provide reasons for violations include Balasore Alloys, Ferro Alloys Corporation Ltd (FACOR), Misrilal Mines Pvt Ltd, B C Mohanty and Sons, Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), Tata Steel, Jindal Stainless Ltd (JSL) and Indian Metals and Ferro Alloys (IMFA). All these companies have chromite and iron ore mines in the Sukinda valley of the district.
It has been detected that the companies have been mining illegally for the last 10-15 years without the mandatory environment clearance. Besides, they have mined more than the permitted quantity, the notices said.
The recent measure is a part of the state government’s series of steps to take action against mining firms violating green laws, as suggested by the Union ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF). The ministry had asked Odisha to initiate action against the mining companies named in the Shah Commission’s report for violating environmental laws.
The commission, in its report, noted 94 mines were operating without environment clearance (EC) while 96 others obtained delayed ECs and had recommended for review of the clearances given to 40 companies holding lease for operating 55 mines around the Baitarani river.
The major mining locations coming under Baitarani catchment area are situated in Jajpur district.