Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has requested the Supreme Court of India to grant additional 3 months of time to take a decision about the lease renewal of 26 mines running under 2nd or subsequent renewal. Last May, the Supreme Court shuts down 26 mines and had directed to take decision on the fate of the mines within 6 months, which ends on 15 Nov, 2014.
Out of the 26 mines, the government had allowed six captive mines operated by Tata Steel & SAIL and one stand-alone mines of OMC to operate through express orders. However, the rest 18 merchant mines are still waiting for permission to start operation.
On the other hand, the state steel & mines department on 07 Nov, 2014 has issued notices to the mines under Section 26 (1) of Mineral Concession Rules (refusal of lease renewal) to show what are the steps they have taken to comply with the CEC order and without this, why their leased should not be cancelled.
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It is believed that the government has taken this step to show the Supreme Court that it is taking all necessary steps to comply with the CEC report. The CEC has submitted its report on illegal mining in Odisha on 17 Oct, 2014. On the basis of the report, the Supreme Court is likely to announce the judgment on 12 Nov, 2014.
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