Keonjhar: The district magistrate’s (DM’s) court had served notices on nine mining firms that have not paid the fine imposed on them due to illegal mining, to depose before it September 1.
Eight of them appeared before the court Saturday through their counsels. BK Mohanty of Uliburu mine, however, did not turn up.
The counsels sought more time for trial as the lawyers were in strike. The mining firms which appeared in the DM’s court were SD Sharma, Sharda, HG Pandya and Others, Mala Ray and Others, BPME Ltd, Gandhamardan Sponge Industries Ltd and MR Das.
Notably, the DM’s court has started the hearing of the case pertaining to confiscation of properties of mining firms which have not paid penalty for illegal mining.
The court had held the 3rd phase of hearing August 18. Only four of the six mining firms — BC Dev, Dr S Pradhan, MR Das and OMDC — had deposed before the court through their counsels. Two mining firms – Arjun Lodha and TB Lal – had not appeared in the court.
The court had fixed September 1 as date of hearing for OMDC (Thakurani iron mine) and MR Das.
The cases of other mining firms will be taken up for hearing September 15 and 22.
The second phase of hearing was held August 4. The government has to get Rs 6,350 crore from 23 defaulting mining firms.
It may be noted here that the Supreme Court had directed the state government to recover penalties from the scam-tainted mine owners. Many miners have deposited their penalties while many others have not.
The mines department had moved the DM’s court for confiscation of their assets. The court had served notices on nine miners earlier.
PNN
