New Delhi: The Supreme Court has decided to hear the submissions of the state government regarding non-payment of the committed amount to the Orissa government by miners for the expenses of the Expert Committee on illegal mining.
Expressing disappointment on the issue, the apex court which gave its order Wednesday mandating the miners to pay by December 31 in its detailed order published Thursday said, “Rakesh Dwivedi, learned senior counsel appearing on behalf of the Orissa government says that in spite of order dated Nov 22, 2017, the amount of `50 lakh has not yet been deposited even though the mining lease holders had volunteered to do so. To say the least, this is extremely unfortunate. To sort out this issue, list the matter on Dec 15.”
The apex court November 22 this year had constituted the Expert Committee comprising two former judges of the apex court to scrutinise the whole matter relating to illegal mining in the state and recommend preventive measures in the matter.
In its November 22 order, the apex court said, “Learned counsel for the concerned lessees says that they will bear the expenses for the proceedings before the Committee. In the first instance, they will deposit an amount of `50 lakh with the Principal Secretary (Mines), Orissa government within two weeks from today.”
The court order also added that the Orissa government would provide all facilities to the committee to carry out its duties and responsibilities and will also disburse the expenses that may be incurred by the committee from time to time.
In its original court judgment on illegal mining August 2 this year, the court had ordered setting up of the Expert Committee presided over by a retired judge of the Supreme Court. The SC while talking about the role of the expert panel had said, “…to identify the lapses that had occurred over the years that have enabled rampant illegal and unlawful mining in Orissa and to recommend preventive measures not only to the Orissa but generally to all other states where mining activities are proceeding on a large scale.”
PNN
