Miners challenge demand notice of Govt

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government’s demand notice to 151 mining lease holders for recovery of full cost of the minerals extracted in excess of the approved mining plan, violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and operating without the consent of State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) has been challenged in the Revisional Authority of the Ministry of Mines.

In their petitions, the miners have contended that the second demand notice amounting to about `2,900 crore raised against them by the State Government in October is against the August 2 order of the Supreme Court. They have urged the revisional authority to reject the fresh demand notice issued by the State as the apex court order is silent on the matter.

They further maintained that the apex court had ordered the State to recover the cost of the excess iron and manganese ore extracted without environmental clearance (EC). The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) had estimated that 2155.11 lakh  tonnes of iron and manganese ore were illegally extracted during 10 years from 2000 to 2010 without EC. The notional value of the minerals was worked out at `17,576.16 crore.

However, sources in the Government said the apex court has directed the State to recover the cost of mineral extracted without forest clearance, consent to operate and beyond the approved mining plan of the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM).

Earlier, the State Government had issued demand notices to 152 mines for recovery of `17,576.16 crore towards mining of minerals without environmental clearance.The aggrieved miners had challenged the second demand notice of the State Government in the Supreme Court while seeking more time for payment of the penalty of `17,576 crore. While rejecting the time petitions of miners, the apex court directed the petitioners to approach appropriate authority for redressal of their grievance on the fresh demand notice, said Eastern Zone Mining Association (EZMA) Prabodha Mohanty.

Miners’ contention

In the second demand notice  State has demanded J2,900 crore which is against the
August 2 order of Supreme Court
CEC had estimated that 2155.11 lakh  tonnes of iron and manganese were illegally extracted during 10 years
Notional value of the minerals was worked out at J17,576.16 crore