The Odisha government has collected Rs 7,962 crore so far from mining companies as compensation for illegally extracted iron and manganese ore between 2000-01 and 2010-11.
With the Supreme Court deadline of December 31 inching closer, miners are making payments hurriedly to save their operating leases.
"The penalty payment of Rs 7,962 crore is reflecting in our head of account. We expect this figure to rise to Rs 9000 crore by December 30. The exact amount paid by the lessees can be known on January 1 as the final figure will take some time to reconcile in our account", said a senior
