In an unprecedented move, the state mining department has cracked the whip on nine out of 11 coal mines operating at the Talcher Coalfields under the command area of Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL).
The deputy director of mines has served closure notices on the nine coal mines, urging the coal authorities to stop all mining activities including despatch of coal. The notices have been served on these nine mines as the ‘Consent to Operate’ period issued by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) had expired. The balance two mines-Balaram and Talcher Colliery have valid consent, mining department sources said. Describing the action as ‘unwarranted and uncalled for’, A K Singh, director of MCL said, “The deputy director of mines has no power to stop the coal mines. Though the consent to operate has not been renewed after the expiry on March 31, still the earlier consent is valid as we have applied for the renewal to SPCB. Since there has been no rejection of our application, the consent stands valid and there is no problem in running the mines as per the law.”