SC turns up heat on illegal mining in Odisha

Orders Odisha govt to produce audited accounts of SPVs set up for tribals affected by illegal mining

The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday directed the Odisha government to produce audited accounts of the special purpose vehicle (SPV) set up for the welfare or tribals affected by illegal mining in several districts.

The court noted Rs 237 crore had been deposited in the court for the development of the affected districts. But, there was no report on how the SPV was using the fund. More money was coming into the fund. Therefore, the SPV has been asked to report its use in the districts of Keonjhar, Sundergarh and Mayurbhanj, where rapacious mining has damaged the environment.

The court reiterated that