Report on Odisha mining operation may be delayed: Shah panel

Illegal mining enquiry agency M B Shah Commission would take more time to submit the preliminary report on Odisha because of complexities involved in investigation of mining lease records.

The commission, which has already stated that it might come for third time to complete verifications all the lease deeds of iron and manganese mines of the state, said that an interim report is not possible without complete investigation.

“We cannot give an incomplete report. We did the same in Goa and will do the same here,” said U V Singh, the head of the visiting probe panel.

The team has so far completed scrutiny of records of some 70 mines and is expected to verify papers of 10 odd more mines by Thursday, out of total 142 iron ore and manganese mines in their check list. The investigation process was slow because of complexities involved in some mining leases.

During the scrutiny of the files, the commission pointed out about mining operation within 10 km radius of the Similipal Tiger Reserve citing a decade old restriction imposed by the central government regarding mines near sanctuaries. A state government forest department official, however, denied any rule violation and said, there are three mines operating within 10 km radium of the sanctuary which had necessary clearances.

The probe panel is scheduled to leave the state on Friday and would like to come back for verification of documents of remaining mines later, said Singh, who is also the additional principal conservator of forest from Karanataka.

The members of the commission are focusing their investigation on all iron ore and manganese leases permitted by Odisha since 1952, and are cross checking the data with relevant papers in other departments. Their investigation includes validity of mining leases, statutory clearances, mineral output, sales and tax deposits.