Rising cases of non-compliance with mining and environmental laws by miners, deepening nexus between lessees and raising contractors and ore production in excess of the approved mining plan are likely to land the state government in a quandary ahead of the visit of the M B Shah Commission of enquiry.
The independent enquiry commission headed by Justice M B Shah, retired judge of Supreme Court to investigate into cases of the illegal mining in several states, is scheduled to visit Orissa on November 15. The commission had recently completed inspections of some controversial mines in Goa.
The state steel & mines department, however, seems to be unperturbed over the commission's visit.
Welcoming any enquiry by the commission, Manoj Ahuja said, “We are not averse to any enquiry. The Shah commission can inspect whatever mines they can. We have already complied with the commission's queries and we will cooperate with them in the probe.”
He denied receipt of any official communication from the commission regarding their visit to the state.
The spate of illegal mining activities had visibly added to the state government's discomfiture even as it has spurned persistent demands for a CBI enquiry into the mining scam by the Opposition political parties, maintaining that the state vigilance was well equipped to handle it.
The controversial Ram Bahadur Thakur mines which was at the heart of the controversial mining scam had recently spelt trouble yet again for the state government. A Central tribunal had recently set aside the order of the government on refusing mining lease to the scam tainted miner. Accusing the state government of failing to provide sufficient evidence on the matter, it had held that the state's order was drawn under influence and was prejudged.
This apart, the unholy alliance between some miners in the Joda circle and raising contractor Thriveni Earthmovers had caught the government on the wrong foot. Three lessees- Indrani Patnaik, K J S Ahluwalia and T P Sao had blatantly violated Rule 37 of Mineral Concession Rules-1960 by forging dubious links with the raising contractor.
Legislators of the opposition as well as ruling party had raised storm over the issue, urging none other than the state Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to initiate stringent action against the miners and the contractor.
These legislators had alleged the mining mafia led by defeated MLA candidate Sanatana Mahakud in collusion with Thriveni Earthmovers had forcibly taken control of ten mines in the Joda circle using their muscle power.
Besides, 104 lessees had raised ore in excess of the IBM (Indian Bureau of Mines) approved mining plan for a year or so in the past 10 years. Action was yet to be initiated against these miners.
