New Delhi — Companies that won the bids to own mines in the Odisha government’s recently concluded mining auction, will get a two-year extension of ECs and FCs as per the earlier announcement, two senior government officials said on Wednesday.
The clarification was made in the light of a notification dated March 30 in which one divisional forest officer (DFO) said mining operations would be suspended with effect from April 1, according to copies of documents reviewed by SteelMint.
The government officials who could not be named, said that divisional forest officers may have issued the notification unknowingly and that they have been asked to take into account the earlier announcement to extend ECs and FCs for two years.
“There are four DFOs in Odisha. All have been informed. They may choose to clarify their notification or choose not to do so,” the first official said.
As of today, mines are operating as they do normally as mining falls under essential commodities. However, some labour and transport issues are being faced due to the lockdown in lieu of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Mine owners can remove their material in six months as per another notification. However, if they have difficulties owing to the lockdown, they may have to make a representation asking for an extension, the first official said.
The second official said that miners will be given one extra month for removal of equipment.
After the lockdown is over, the process to auction off 8 virgin mineral blocks will start. Odisha government auctioned 20 working mines in January-February this year under the new mining law that seeks to bring in greater transparency in India’s mining industry.
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