Shah panel submits its first report on Odisha mining

Justice M B Shah Commission, inquiring into illegal mining activities across the country, has submitted its first report to the Union mines ministry about mining activities in Odisha Tuesday evening. The content of the 1,500 page-long report is unknown yet, as it will be made public after it is laid in Parliament.

The first part of the report is believed to contain preliminary observations, suggestion and overall findings. It is also expected to draw conclusions regarding illegal mining operation in the state, something which the Odisha government has been denying from day one. In its first report for Goa, the Commission had concluded that "all modes of illegal mining are being committed in the state of Goa".

However, industry officials said, since the Commission is yet to decide whether illegal mining, which mainly relates to mining without lawful authority, took place in Odisha, the first part of the report may not contain such findings like it did in case of Goa.

"It is just the first part of the report. The (Union) Government will wait for the final report to take a decision," said R K Sharma, the Director General of the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (Fimi).

The Commission, which has visited the state five times since December 2011, was criticised by local miners last year for reaching a conclusion on mining operation beyond the lease area by referring to Google Maps.

They maintained that the encroachment of forest area or adjacent mines lease cannot be determined by Google Maps as it is unable to provide exact landscape details from satellite images. They had also pleaded before the Commission to not to consider Orissa Space Application Centre (ORSAC)-prepared maps citing faults in preparation of these maps.

After the miners' objection, Justice Shah had ordered for field verification of 44 mines to find out whether they raised mineral beyond granted area. The task is yet to be completed.

Determination of lease boundary is crucial because as per latest amendment to Mineral Concession Rules, 1960, mining beyond lease area is defined as illegal mining and can lead to forfeiture of the lease agreement. Irregularities detected inside lease area, such as excess mineral raising, attracts lesser punishment such as penalties. The Commission is expected to submit the second and final part of the report towards the end of this year. It has requested for extension of its term by one year to complete the process.