The state steel & mines department is likely to take a pause on renewal of over 200 pending mining lease applications amid the ongoing investigation into alleged illegal mining activities in the state by Justice M B Shah Commission of enquiry.
The probe panel constituted by the Central government had checked records of 81 leases during its recent Odisha visit. The commission was likely to visit the state yet again, its third, in early November. Earlier, the panel had observed that allowing a mine to operate under deemed extension for long periods was triggering illegal mining activities.
“Over 200 applications for mine lease renewal are pending at different levels. Then there are 47 mines currently operating under deemed extension. But we are going to wait till the Shah Commission completes its probe before deciding on renewal casesâ€Â, said a senor steel & mines department official.
Source BS
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