Mining irregularities in Odisha: Shah panel report in 3 months

Panel takes note of mining beyond lease area

The Justice M B Shah Commission of enquiry probing into large scale illegal mining without lawful authority is expected to submit its report on mining irregularities in Odisha within 2-3 months.

Asked if the commission would be in a position to submit its report in 2-3 months, U V Singh, team leader of the visiting panel said, “Yes, we will be able to submit our report by that time.”

The members of the probe panel held discussions with the state chief secretary B K Patnaik and other top officials of the state government.

Singh, however, chose to remain tight lipped on what transpired at the meeting.

On mining activities being taken up outside lease area, he said, “We have taken note of it and are examining it.”

Asked if the panel detected any irregularity during verification of records of mine lessees, Singh said “We will deal with it in our report.”

Chief secretary B K Patnaik said, “Whatever information sought by the Commission has been provided by us. We are going to furnish written reply to certain queries raised by them. The state government also clarified its stand on some issues pertaining to mining.”

Of late, the Shah Commission has sought a detailed response from the government on the impact of suspension of scores of mine leases on the state's economy.

Following the mines department's clampdown to curb irregularities in mining activities, only 129 of a total of 600 mining leases in the state are currently operational. While 240 mines have been suspended on account of lack of statutory clearances, 140 others have been temporarily discontinued.

The panel had also reiterated some of its previously raised queries. The panel had sought to know if the state government favoured a complete ban on iron ore exports to curb illegal mining and on areas like non-fulfillment of promises made to the iron ore based industries, CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities of miners at the site of mine leases and its periphery and restriction on lessees responsible for polluting local water sources.