Shah Commission visit from Feb 27

Justice MB Shah, who is heading a commission of enquiry on mining irregularities in the country, will come on a three-day visit to Odisha beginning February 27.

The Shah panel will conduct public hearing during the visit where it will hear the views of the state government and some mine lessees.

“The Shah Commission has informed us that they will be visiting the state from February 27-March 1. The probe panel will hear our views. It is expected that some lessees will also be present at the time of hearing. The commission wants to know whether the information provided by the state government in respect of production and status of environment and forest clearance are endorsed by the miners,” said director (mines), Deepak Mohanty.

While the commission has so far visited Odisha four times to investigate illegal mining, this is the second visit by Justice Shah, who last visited the state in December 2011.