Jolt for Odisha govt: HC stays decision to auction all non-coal mines

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jan 16:

In a significant ruling, the Odisha High Court today granted a stay order on the Odisha government decision of January 5 to auction all non-coal mines in the state. The stay will remain in force till further orders, the court said.

The court posted the next date of hearing for February 4.

The court ruling came during the hearing of a petition filed by five mining companies, among them Mesco, Kalinga Minerals and Om Minerals, which stood to be affected by the state government’s decision to auction all non coal mines, inlcuding those that were awaiting second and subsequent renewal. The stay order granted by the High Court pours cold water on the government’s plans.

Meanwhhile, the state government has decided to raise objections to the oridnance issued by the Central government on January 12 at the meeting convened by the Centre to discuss the issue on January 19.

“The ordinance would mean a significant loss of revenue for the state government since it would override the state government’s decision to auction mines which are awaiting second and subsequent renewal. So, we have sought the opinion of the Law department on the matter and would present our case at the January 19 meeting based on this opinion,” Steel and Mines minister Prafulla Mallick said.