Two-member CEC team arrives in Odisha to probe mine leases

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, June 9:

A two-member team of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), appointed by the Supreme Court, arrived in the Odisha capital here this morning on a two-day visit to review the status of operational mines in the state.

The team, comprising secretary NK Jiwarika and Madan Mohan Vyas and other member of the Committee, will undertake independent assessment of the status of mining activities in the state.

The team will examine the statutory clearances of various mining leases operating in the state.

The state government will submit information related to the mining activities in 186 iron and manganese mines based on which the CEC will prepare its final report and submit to the apex court which is hearing a case on the illegal mining in the state and pronounce its final verdict on the illegal mining.

According to official sources, the team, on the first day of its visit, would discuss the status of mines in the state with senior government officials here.

On Tuesday, the team will have a meeting with the mining leaseholders.

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

Meanwhile, eight of the mines resumed operation after the government renewed their lease agreements.