CEC postpones hearing on illegal mining

Odisha yet to send detail report on rule violation sought by the probe team

The Central Empowered Committee (CEC), appointed by Supreme Court, has postponed its hearing on illegal mining cases in Odisha due to non-availability of information from the state government.

The hearing was scheduled to begin today at New Delhi in the presence of accused miners.

“We have not received any intimation from CEC so far for the hearing at New Delhi. We believe it will be delayed by at least a week, as necessary reports from the state government have not reached the CEC,” said an official of a large mining firm, which is among the 16 parties scheduled to be present during the CEC hearing. Earlier this month, the CEC team had gone on a field visit to mining areas in north-west Odisha and found major discrepancies in data showed by mines leaseholders and state government regarding lease boundary and mineral extraction. Some of the lease holders also claimed ignorance about official proceedings initiated against them for forest and environment rule violations, sources said.

To clear the confusion, the CEC members had asked for more data from State Pollution Control Board, Forest Department, Vigilance wing and Steel and Mines Department before July 21.

The Forest Department, which had assured to submit details of proceedings against the miners before July 18 to Directorate of Mines, submitted its report today. The Steel and Mines Department will send its final report to the CEC after discussing the matter with the Forest Department. This important meeting between the two government departments was on till late evening today.

The CEC panel, 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 that all modes of illegal mining were 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 decision on whether to allow mining in Odisha or not.