)
An inter-departmental panel headed by Development Commissioner Aditya Padhi is expected to take a decision on lease renewal applications of five limestone and dolomite mines belonging to Tata Steel, Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) and other miners.
"The agenda has been fixed for lease renewal of mostly non-scheduled minerals (other than iron ore, chromite, bauxite, manganese) of five mines. Some of the mines belong to Tata Steel and SAIL," said an official source.
In October 2012, the steel & mines department, through a notification, had formed an inter-departmental panel headed by development commissioner cum additional chief secretary to expedite the lease renewal applications of several mines, which were running on provisions of deemed extension.
Apart from dolomite mines, the panel might also discuss the fate of eight mines who have been allowed to resume operations by invoking express orders. These mines were allowed to excavate iron ore on May 29 after Supreme Court imposed ban on 26 mines, and were asked to submit clearances within three months.
So far, only SAIL has submitted papers for its two mines, while the clearance documents of Tata Steel and Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) is yet to received by the state government.
"These issues (express order clearance) might also come up," said a senior official at the state mines directorate.
