Investment of over Rs 35000 cr may be put on hold by industry

Finance minister P Chidambaram's move to retain 5 per cent duty on export of pellets has deeply disappointed the iron ore mining industry. The industry, which was expecting duty withdrawal in the interim budget 2014-15, said the industry might consider closing down existing units and put on hold investment to the tune of over Rs 35,000 crore.

Argues that state vigilance is well equipped to conduct enquiry

The Odisha government has rejected the Shah Commission's suggestion for a probe by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the mining scam, arguing that the state vigilance is well equipped to conduct the enquiry.

Government has sent out 146 notices to leading iron and steel makers which were allegedly involved into illegal mining

Shah Commission says Rs 60K cr lost to illegal mining in Odisha
Minerals worth about Rs 60,000 crore were illegally mined in Odisha during 2008-2011, Justice MB Shah Commission of Inquiry said in its report tabled in Parliament today.

The number of cases are quite high compared to minerals rich Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and neighboring Gujarat

At a meeting of the coordination-cum-empowered committee on mineral development and regulation held in January, the Centre had expressed serious concerns over the high number of illegal mining cases and on the quality of reports submitted by the Maharashtra government in this regard.

The State government has ordered the Lokayukta police to investigate the alleged payment of bribe to officials and non-officials by those involved in illegal iron ore mining, as per the findings of

With Goa Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing around nine cases of illegal mining against various high profile persons including local politicians is likely to begin issuing summons to them from this week onwards.

This is despite the SIT still awaiting a response from the government on its proposal for a legal assistant and chartered accountants to assist them all through the investigations.

The decision to reduce penalties under Rajasthan Forest (amendment) Act, 2012 by the cabinet on Thursday has opened backdoor entry for mine mafias to grab depleting forest land.