16 mines in Odisha to be auctioned by March next year

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government will auction 16 mines, including 10 iron ore mines by the end of March next year, said State Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick today.

Speaking to media here, Mallick said, “We have written a letter to the Centre seeking its permission for auction of 16 mines. Once we get the approval, we will auction the mines by March, 2019.”

On December 1, the State Government had cancelled the leases of six mines as the leaseholders failed to pay the penalty imposed on them for excess mining.

Mallick said while 31 mining companies have not paid the penalty, 25 of them have been granted stay order by the Revisional Authority .The lease of rest six mines, which have not got the stay order, have been cancelled due to non-payment of compensation. These mines have been restricted from carrying out mining operations.

The Collectors concerned have been asked to initiate certificate case against the lease holders and collect the fine amount, Mallick added.