As the deadline set by the Supreme Court to recover penalty against the illegal iron ore mining approaches, the Government is looking in no mood to listen to the pleas of the companies in question. Instead, some additions have been made by adding other minerals in the original calculation done for iron ore only.
Mines and Geology department after dispatching the demand list to a host of companies for alleged illegal mining taken place in Jharkhand during 1994-1995 and 2000-01 is now busy calculating similar violations done in coal, bauxite, limestone, manganese ore and other major minerals in the State.
It is learnt that after taking into consideration the whole list of minerals, the original demand of nearly Rs 3,000 crore is in all likelihood would cross over Rs 5,000 crore. “We have done calculations for iron ore. But then all the District Mining Officers (DMOs) have been told also to take into account illegal mining done in the case of coal, bauxite, alumina etc. Some figures have come and the task is going on. We have already reached nearly Rs 5,000 crore which may go even further,” said Mines Commissioner Abbobacker Siddique on Thursday.
He also said that at the same time there is going to be no relaxation in terms of the figures arrived at by the Department in the case of iron ore. “Look, the calculation about illegal mining of iron ore has been done based on set policy, guidelines and the directions given by the Supreme Court. No one can alter with these. There may be cases of miscalculation and the aggrieved companies can approach respective DMOs for rectification,” added the Commissioner suggesting no change in the original demand list as expected by some companies.
Following the Supreme Court direction setting the deadline of 31 December, 2017 to recover the fine based on local level calculations, major mining firms including the Government owned Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) had approached the Department requesting reconsideration citing “huge mismatch” between the Government’s calculations and theirs. But since the Government has stood firm, it has also toned down its pitch a bit.
“We had approached the Department for reconciliation. Our view is that the fine levied has to be paid anyhow. There are some disputes about the way calculations have taken place. We have the chance to approach the court but if they persist, then we may go on paying by the due date. After all how long the judicial battle would continue,” said a top official of SAIL. The PSU alone has been slapped with demand in the tune of Rs 1300 crore by DMO of Chaibasa.
As per the earlier calculation done based on the MB Shah Commission’s figures and formula set for recovery, demand in the tune of Rs 7,598 was raised from iron ore mining defaulters operating in the State. Largest share was of Government-owned SAIL, Rs 3470 crore, along with private majors like Rungta Mines, Usha Martin, Adhunik and Shah Brothers and several others.
However the recalculation now being made under different set of parameters and excluding interest component from the earlier value, the Department has brought it down up to nearly Rs 3000 crore against all illegally excavated ores.
Besides SAIL, Tata Steel, Rungta Mines and few others in question have also complained about the ambiguity and looking forward to approach the competent authority for corrective step since as per the apex court’s order the defaulters have to comply with the fine levied by December 31, 2017. “We are going to adhere by the deadline and would start taking action if they do not pay the fine on time,” said Siddique.