Odisha to get tough with illegal miners who defaulted on penalty payments

Action may include determining leases of 56 lessees, seizure of assets, and even freezing bank accounts

Miners who failed to pay the compensation for illegally mined iron ore and manganese as mandated by the Supreme Court are on the verge of facing stern action from the Odisha government.

The state government has decided to initiate coercive steps against defaulting leaseholders. The action could mean determining the leases of 56 lessees and going forward with seizure of assets. The authorities can even go for freezing bank accounts of the lessees to recover dues.

"The task force of the state government has decided to take stringent action against the erring miners. The grace period for the payment of compensation has