The Supreme Court’s order on mining ban is still pending; people are anticipating order to be released on 17 May, 2014.
Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court’s order on mining ban is still reserved. It was expected that some development will be seen on 09 May, 2014 before Court close down for summer vacation. Nothing has come out till now, but officials in Odisha are anticipating some order to come on 17 May, 2014.
Providing a relief to the miners in Odisha, the centre has hinted that the mining ban in Odisha will be not like ban in Goa or Karnataka. The union mines ministry today said, its focus is to restart operations of mines that have shut down. “We are now keen to restart the closed mines. We will see where the problems lie and what the provisions are in law. Today, we had detailed discussions with the state officials in this regard. We need to fast track approvals for such mines and we will do it as quickly as possible”, said Union mines secretary Anup K Pujari.
On apprehensions on mines facing closure in Odisha, he said, “We have not come here to ban mining. We want to ensure that mining operations are started. But, that does not mean that we will keep quiet if laws are flouted. A lot of leaseholders are doing good work and this should be highlighted. People should realize that mining is a legitimate economic activity.”
“Our discussions centered on how mines can resume normal operations. There is a need to expedite various clearances and those leases whose validity has expired, their renewal has to be speed up”, said Odisha Chief Secretary J K Mohapatra.
Miners in Odisha are visibly worried over the future of mines operations, especially those working under ‘deemed extension’. Though the Supreme Court has completed hearing on illegal mining in the state, it has reserved its interim order.
Asked on the future of mines operating in Odisha under deemed extension, Pujari said, “The Supreme Court has not commented specifically on Odisha mining. Whatever the apex court has said on mines working under deemed licenses were on mining in Goa. We are awaiting the court’s order.”
While passing a ruling in case of Goa mining in April this year, the apex court held that deemed mining licenses can be valid for no more than 20 years.“The big picture is that the mining sector has come to a sort of a grinding standstill. For this reason, I had elaborate discussions yesterday with the Chhattisgarh government. We need to rejuvenate the mining sector”, Pujari said.
Asked on grant of prospecting license (PL) over Khandadhar to Posco, he said, “We did not discuss any specific issue. We had discussions only on policy matters.”
Presently, 59 mines are operating in Odisha including 41 Iron ore & Manganese mines, 6 Coal mines, 1 bauxite mine, 5 chromite and 6 limestone mines. As many as 131 mines have been shut down due to need of various approvals, mentioned in a government release.
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