Bhubaneswar :
The Sarda mines and Jindal Steel and Power (JSPL) are once again in trouble for allegedly violating Rule-37 of the Mineral Concession Rules and thereby causing loss to the state exchequer. A local civil court in Keonjhar has issued show cause notices to both the companies on 13th of this month.
According to reports the local NGO Navdigant and two other individuals have filed a petition in the court of Champua Civil Judge (Senior Division) on January 17 2012, alleging that the two companies are violating the Rule-37 of the MCR- 1960 thereby causing crores of loss to the state exchequer.
The petitioners have alleged that JSPL has illegally operating the mines leased to Sarda mines and are 'buying' iron ore from Sarda at very low prices which is below the price fixed by the government. So the government has so far lost revenue regarding Sales tax and royalty to the size of Rs 200 crore.
JSPL had filed 4 cases on August 2012 and September 2012 appealing for the rejection of case, but the court had quashed the appeals.
It may be noted that the Shah Commission had also grilled the two companies for the violation. Rule-37 of Mineral Concession Rule which debars any lessee to assign, sub-let, mortgage or in any other manner transfer the mining lease or any right, title or interest therein without previous written consent of the state government.
-By Tapan Moharana
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