Orissa government forms committee to monitor mining activity

The Orissa government has constituted a high-level committee to verify legality of different mines following reports of rampant illegal mining in the state.

Steel and mines minister Raghunath Mohanty told PTI that the committee had been asked to submit its report on legality of mine leases (ML) and renewal of mining leases (RML) by 10 May. He added that the committee's report would be submitted to the Supreme Court's Central Empowered Committee (CEC) on mining irregularities.

The minister further added that the panel headed by the director of mines would examine different aspects of MLs and RML and said it was also empowered to recommend action in case of violation of norms.

The committee would comprise of senior officials from various departments including forest, revenue, home, mines and a senior scientist from the pollution control board. He added the members would verify legality of individual ML and RML.

A formal notification in this regard would be issued by the steel and mines department.

Of the about 600 mine leases granted in the state, operations in more than 160 mines has been suspended following the 'multi-crore mining scam' reported last year.