CEC report on Odisha mining by July end

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, June 10:

The two-member Central Empowered Committee (CEC) on mining, which is in Odisha now to undertake an independent assessment of status of mining activities in the state will table its final report  between July 25 and July 30, informed sources said .

After meeting state government officials on Monday, the CEC team today met with leaseholders of mines and held discussions on ten issues, the sources said, adding, they may also consider making field visits if the situation so demands.

The two-member team -NK Jiwarika and Madan Mohan Vyas- had grilled the state government officials during a meeting on Monday over their laxity and indifference which allowed the miners to operate without having statutory clearances.

The CEC on Monday reviewed the 26 mines, which were closed temporarily following the directive of Supreme Court in April this year. It also took note of other working mines that have been operational under deemed extension for years together.

It may be recalled that the Supreme Court had ordered temporary closure of 26 mainstream mines in Odisha on the grounds of non-renewal of leases following the recommendation of the CEC that about 40 mines in the state were operating under the provision of “deemed renewed” leases well after the expiry of their lease periods.