Bhubaneswar: Despite the decision to send demand notices to mining firms which had illegally explored minerals in the state, the state government is yet to act upon it.
With the Supreme Court ordering imposition of 100 per cent penalty on mining lease-holders operating without requisite clearances, the state government August 8 decided to serve demand notices on the violators within 10 days.
However, for reasons unknown, the state authorities are keeping their fingers crossed even 20 days after the firm decision.
Chief Secretary AP Padhi, who had convened the meeting, said demand notices would be sent to the mines operators to collect fine to the tune of `17,575 crore.
Earlier, the state had issued demand notices to 148 mining firms for production in excess of EC/mining plan/consent to operate (CTO) at 298.20 million tonne valued at `58,965.48 crore. 
However, with confusion persisting over the quantum of fine to be collected towards illegal mining in Orissa after SC order (August 2), the state government August 8 accepted the apex court appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC)’s estimation of `17,575crore for recovery from miners towards violation of environment clearance (EC) norms.
The CEC assessed the excess production over and above the environment approval for 148 mining leases at 215.51 million tonne valued at `17,575 crore. Besides, the government has also expected additional `2,000 crore towards exploration in excess of mining plan and CTO issued by the state pollution control board.
However, the delay has raised question marks over the state government’s genuine intentions, especially at a time when Opposition Congress and BJP have alleged nexus between the mining mafia and the state government. Meanwhile, sources have indicated that sending demand notices will also put the state government in a quandary as the state-run Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC) is a major defaulter.
Speaking to Orissa POST, Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick ruled out the allegation and said, “The demand notices have not been sent as the Finance department is yet to provide us the account number through which the mining firms will have to deposit the penalty.”
“We have advised Finance department to provide the account details at the earliest. Once the account details are obtained, our department will send the notices to the mining firms,” he said.
Sudarsan Maharana, OP
