Odisha forms panel to expedite mining lease renewal

The state government has formed a 12-member committee to expedite the process of mining lease renewal, the applications for some of which have been pending for over 10 years.

The decision to form the committee follows a recent resolution of the state government, which decided that henceforth, mines meant only for mineral development would be applicable for renewal of lease.

The high level committee is to be headed by the state Chief Secretary, with senior officials from steel and mines department, forest and environment department, mines directorate, pollution control board, principle conservator of forest and from Orissa Space Application Centre (ORSAC) as members.

As per the new guidelines framed for the committee, all mining lease renewal applications which come to the state steel and mines department, will now be referred to the high level committee to decide whether the mines concerned contributes significantly to mineral development either by captive use or by beneficiation.

The mines department must include the recommendation of the committee for lease renewal while sending its views to the state government, which will then be forwarded to the central government for final approval.

The committee is empowered to decide the frequency of the sittings and number of members. The state government has been criticised by illegal mining enquiry agency M B Shah Commission and opposition parties for long delay in expediting mining lease renewal applications.

Over 200 applications for renewal of mining lease are now pending with the state government. Of the 47 iron ore and manganese mines operating under deemed extension, the state steel and mines department has so far received inspection reports for 40 mines and is awaiting reports in case of rest mines. These mines are concentrated in Keonjhar and Sundergarh districts.