Orissa govt tries to clear mining lease renewals

As many as 344 applications for renewal of mining leases (RML) are pending at different levels in the state. While 219 RML applications are pending a formal government decision, those at the collectorate and directorate levels are 110 and 15, respectively.

The RML applications pending at the government level include those of Orissa Mining Corporation , Tata Refractories, Ferro Alloys Corporation , Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd, Tata Steel and Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd.

Meanwhile, 51 lessees are operating their mines under a deemed extension. These include those of Tata Steel, Facor, Essel Mining & Industries, Mid-East Integrated Steel, Patnaik Minerals Ltd, R P Sao, Rungta Mines and OCL India.

A cell has been constituted within the department for speedy disposal of RML applications. It was prompted by the huge volume of pending cases and the inordinate delay in disposal. It is coordinating with the directorate of mines. Norms on cases to be taken up each month were fixed at a recent meeting.

The department secretary had earlier instructed that disposal be done in a time-bound manner.