TATA Steel raised minerals without lawful authority: Odisha

Country’s
leading steel producer Tata Steel has raised mineral ores with an estimated
cost of Rs.2414 crore 44 lakh without lawful authority in several mines from 2000-01
to 2009-10. Out of which the company has raised iron ore amounting Rs. 2331
crore, according to an assessment by the Odisha government.

The government
information shows that Tata Steel has raised the minerals i.e. iron ore,chrome
ore and manganese form the Joda East,  Katamati,
Guruda Tiringpahar,Manmora,Bameri, Joda West and Khandabandha  iron ore and Manganese mines and Sukinda
Chromite mines.

According to the
report, several miners including PSU’s like OMC,SAIL,OMDC,NALCO and private
sector companies like Essel Mining, Rungta, Indrani pattnaik, S.N.Mohanty
mines,MeadEast Integrated Steels,Sharda Mines,KJS Ahluwlia,R.P.Sao have raised
minerals beyond the permitte quantity or without lawfull authority. The
government has assessed that total cost of the minerals including iron
ore,Manganese,Chromite,lime stone,Bauxite raised without lawful authority would
be Rs.65,492 crore.

The
state government has issued notices to the miners for recovery of cost of the
minerals under sub section5 of section 21 of the MMDR act 1957