The Orissa government has issued show cause notices to three mine lease holders on charge of violation of rules and registered cases in connection with alleged illegal mining activities, officials said today.
“We have issued show cause notices to three mine owners for illegally sub-leasing mines alloted to them which is violation of Rule-37 of the Mineral Concession Rule-1960,” said steel and mines minister Raghunath Mohanty.
The government is presently scrutinising the cases of five more mine owners and actions were likely after getting a final report, he said after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik held a review of the mining sector here.
The government will take appropriate action against mines lessees after getting their reply, the minister said adding their lease hold could be cancelled for the violation.
Stating that violation of Rule-37 of the MCR-1960 “encourages” illegal trade in minerals, Mohanty said 668 persons had so far been arrested for alleged involvement in mineral smuggling.
It was found that some lease holders unofficially sub-lease mines to other parties who in turn undertake mining activities without abiding by rules therein, Mohanty said.
Giving sub-lease unofficially to private parties amounted to violation of rules.
In its bid to check illegal activities, a senior steel and mines department official said steps were being taken to streamline transportation, mining and other activities.
The state government also decided to close down extra stockyards, said to be the origin illegal activities. “More manpower will soon be in place to ensure complete halt to illegal mining activities,” Mohanty said.
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