CEC ends hearing on illegal mining

The Supreme Court appointed central empowered committee (CEC) today completed the hearing process of Odisha miners accused of violating mining rules and has asked the state government to send mining output data after consultation with miners.

The CEC has asked the state government to sort out the mismatch of mining production data available with the miners and the state Steel and Mines department. Hence, the department has asked the miners to come up with their data on August 14, said an official of the department.

On the last day of the hearing today, about 100 miners were summoned before the probe panel.

The panel sought to know the view of miners on charges levelled by the state government regarding encroachment, excess production and Rule 37 violation (subletting of mining lease) during its week-long hearing that started on August 5. It will send its final report regarding status of illegal mining in Odisha after getting report of the state government regarding mining output.

The probe panel, during their field visit to mining areas of Odisha last month, had found major discrepancies in data showed by mines leaseholders and 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.

To clear the confusion, the CEC decided to conduct a hearing at New Delhi where leaseholders of over 150 iron ore mines were called. The panel had also asked for more data from State Pollution Control Board, forest department, vigilance wing and steel and mines department and wanted to hear from leaseholders regarding data mismatch. The CEC has received all the information it had sought regarding data mismatch. Only data regarding mining output, about which the miners and state government disagree and have their own figures, will be sent after consultation with miners on August 14, the official said.