Keonjhar: The state-owned OMC is allegedly showing undue favouritism to the TP Mohanty Mine in Joda mining circle in this district. Many quarters alleged that such favouritism is an encouragement for illegal mining.
The Dubuna-Sakrasahi Mine under the OMC has been lying closed for many years. It is learnt that the OMC is not showing interest to run this mine and is keen on its disposal. However, it is said to be interested in helping other mines operate it.
Meanwhile, the OMC has granted permission to the TP Mohanty Mines to transport its iron ore on the road that lies in its lease area. But the OMC has laid 14 conditions for the private miner. The OMC executive director has issued this permission to the TP Mohanty Mines vide letter 6997, dated May 9, 2018.
“There may be conditions, but allowing its road to use for mineral transportation of private mine will only encourage mining loot,” some locals said. They demanded that such permission should be cancelled. Besides, some tribals have land on which the road has been laid. Pleasing those tribals, mineral transportation was earlier carried out.
There is no road directly accessible to the TP Mohanty Mine. The miner had forcibly used the land of some Dalits for mineral transportation for some time, but following strong opposition from the locals it was halted. Later, the issue landed at the police station and before the administration.
Now, the question is how could mineral transportation of a private mine be allowed on the lease area of the OMC. Locals suspect this will pave way for illegal transportation of minerals.
OMC regional manager, LN Ghana, confirmed giving the permission. “There is no problem in it,” he asserted.
However, mining experts argued that since the OMC belongs to the government, it should have taken the government into confidence before taking such a decision. The matter should be investigated, they observed.
PNN
