Shah panel sets terms for mine lease demarcation

The panel, probing into illegal mining activities, has issued strict guidelines for physical verification of the areas

Barely a few days ahead of the start of re-examination of mine lease boundaries, the M B Shah commission, probing into illegal mining activities, has issued strict guidelines for physical verification of the areas.

As per the new rules issued by the commission, the team engaged in the survey should collect the land use plan contained in the annual mining plan document of the lessee, which should be considered while identifying violations like mining beyond approved area.

It also said, mining in forest areas within the leased areas should be taken note of for deciding encroachment.

“The encroachment in safety zone by any mining activity and encroachment in the forest land within the leased area should be identified with respect to forest land granted. If the approved area within the leased area has been exceeded, the same should be considered as encroachment,” said the guidelines.

Determination of lease boundary is crucial because the Mineral Concession Rule (MCR)-1960 prescribes that mining activity carried out beyond the lease area is ‘illegal’ leading to forfeiture of lease. Rule violation done within lease area attracts lesser punishment such as penalties.

The miners had complained that the Shah commission members superimposed Google images with the revenue map to determine lease area encroachment which was not authentic. Similarly, the differential global positioning system (DGPS) maps prepared by the state government agency Odisha Space Application Centre (ORSAC) was not up to the mark, the miners had argued.

Following the objection raised by mine owners, the commission had directed the state to form a committee for physical survey and lease area demarcation of the mines. The state government formed five committees for five mining circles of the state in Sundergarh and Keonjhar districts, two district level committees and one state level committee to carry out the task.

Along with survey of boundary pillars of lessees demarcating the lease area, the team should also make an effort to identify special areas within the lease which include storage area of waste, stocking area of mineral with special reference to forest area inside the lease, the guidelines said.

It also said the geo-referenced superimposed maps should be plotted on Google images for future verification. The re-examination of lease area would start by the end of this week. A total of 35 miners apart from Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) have submitted applications for lease area demarcation.