Odisha's penalty collection touches Rs 112 bn from mining operators

Apart from working mines, some 30-odd leases, which were already inoperative at the time of the SC order have also done the payments

The collection of compensation from iron ore and manganese miners in Odisha has reached Rs 112 billion as leaseholders of some inoperative mines rushed to make payments after the recent Supreme Court stricture.

In the latest round of hearing last week, the apex court had directed the state government to pull all stops to realise the dues pending on miners. The top court even offered the government the option to scrap mining leases and confiscate assets of miners who do not comply.

"Some of the mine leaseholders like Idcol (Industrial Development Corporation of Odisha Ltd) and Serajuddin & Company have