Clash with ruling party members ultimately resulted in walkout by Congress legislators

The state government on Monday faced heat in the assembly over the controversial issue of mapping of mine lease boundaries with the Opposition Congress alleging that the DGPS (differential global positioning system) survey has exposed the state’s complicity in loot of minerals. The clash with the ruling party members ultimately resulted in walkout by the Congress legislators

State says IBM report on 'mineral development' not binging

The Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) has sought from the Odisha government the details of 24 mining leases, which are awaiting extension of the validity period of the leases, before giving its recommendation whether the leases should be renewed in the interest of 'mineral development'. The communication from IBM is in contrast with October 2012 executive order of the state government, which asserted that the state is empowered to take a decision about 'mineral development' while processing renewal application.

Samaj Parivartan Samudaya (SPS), the non-governmental organisation fighting legal battle against illegal mining, on Wednesday opposed before the Supreme Court the recommendation made by the Central

PANJIM: The mines department was served with a legal notice challenging the legality of the Goa (Prevention of Illegal Mining Transportation and Storage of Minerals) Rules 2004 and demanding that the rules be withdrawn within two weeks.

The notice served by Adv Krishnendu Mukherjee says that Section 23 C of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957 does not allow for rules for trading of minerals by registered operators, but only for prevention of illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals.

The Union mines ministry also advised the state govt to withdraw its resolution dated October 3 and 12 which goes against the interest of local miners.

Three resolutions of the Odisha government to impose unprecedented curbs on mining activity and triggering a legal tussle between the government and the mine lessees have come across a central government wall.

The ministry of mines has asked it to scrap all the three resolutions, saying they breach mining laws. Through these resolutions, the state steel and mines department sought to achieve a three-pronged objective. One, reserving all the remaining mineral-bearing areas (not leased to any private entity) in favour of its company, the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC). Two, making it mandatory for standalone iron ore miners to sell at least half their output to state-based industries. Three, restricting the area of a private lease at the time of renewal.

PANJIM: Fresh investigation by State government has revealed that as of now 14 mines are involved in various kinds of illegalities, including encroachment outside their lease areas.

According to the details tabled in the House, 14 mining lease holders are either involved in illegal extraction or encroachment outside the mining lease. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday told the house that the investigation to nail the illegalities as pointed by the Justice M B Shah Commission is under way.