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The Central Empowered Committee (CEC), appointed by the Supreme Court to look into allegations of illegal mining activities, today asked the state government to provide data related to mineral extraction and other details of mine lessees accused of violating rules and regulations.
“The members needed certain clarifications and the officials concerned provided all the details. The information sought by the panel members will be provided by the respective offices of the state government within the time period stipulated by them,” said Jugal Kishore Mohapatra, Chief Secretary, Odisha, after a meeting with CEC members.
During their field visit to mining areas in past two days, the CEC found major discrepancies in data showed by mines leaseholders and the state government regarding lease boundary and mineral extraction. Some of the lease holders also did not have any knowledge of official proceedings initiated against them for forest and environment rule violations, sources said.
To clear the confusion, the CEC members have asked for more data from State Pollution Control Board, Forest department, Vigilance wing and Steel and Mines department of the government before their meeting with accused leaseholders in New Delhi on July 23 and 24. “The CEC has asked for some statistical information. We have already started compiling the data and hope to submit the information before July 21,” said Deepak Mohanty, state mines director after the meeting. Before CEC-leaseholders meet on July 23 and 24, the Steel and Mines Department of the state government has asked the miners to report to it with their cases on July 18 to discuss data and record mismatch.
The probe panel, which is investigating status of illegal mining in Odisha based on actions taken by the state government since 2009, had found that several miners allegedly raised iron ore and manganese beyond permitted area and approved quantity. Some of the miners have even challenged the penalties imposed by the state government for excess mining.
In April this year, the CEC was instructed by the Supreme Court to submit details of the status of illegal mining in Odisha while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL). In its petition, civil society organisation, Common Cause had appealed the top court to ban mining in Odisha after leaked reports of Shah Commission of enquiry suggested all modes of illegal mining taking place in the state between 2003 and 2009. The team is expected to submit its status report to the Supreme Court by the end of this month to help it take a decision on whether to allow mining in Odisha or not.
