The Odisha government has rejected the Renewal of mining lease (RML) application filled by KJS Ahluwalia for Iron and Manganise ore over an area of 23.30 hectares in village Gunua, Mandajoda and Dalita under Bonai sub-Division of Sundargarh District on grounds of non-commencement of mining operation and non-submission of Forest and Environment clearance.
The Government of Odisha has granted the mining lease to KJS Ahluwalia on 16th July 1988 for a period of 20 years which has expired on 15th July 2008. The miner has applied for RML for the mine on 13th June 2007. Meanwhile, the Collector Sundargarh vide his letter no 2161 on 2nd Nov 2007 had sent a proposal for lapsing of the mining lease on the ground that the lease has kept the mine since the date of execution i.e from 16th July 1988 and Clearance of from MEoF has not been obtained under Forest Conservation Act 1980.
After consideration of the RML Application and the proposal by the Sundargarh Collector the Government of Odisha on 22nd April 2013 has decided not to renew the lease on several grounds like non commencement of mining operation and for not obtaining forest clearance. The government in its letter has clearly stated that no sincere effort has been taken by the lessee to obtain forest clearance from the ministry of Environment and Forest, Govt of India. Also due to lack of interest of the lessee the lease has been kept idle and has not commenced mining operation since its execution inspite of the surface right had been granted to the lessee by the Sundargarh Collector on June 1990.
Reported by Tapan Moharana
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