Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is all set to initiate stern action against 56 defaulting mining leaseholders as they have failed to deposit the penalty towards excess and illegal mining within the specified time frame as per the directive of the Supreme Court.
“The state government, as per the directive of the Supreme Court will collect the penalty to the tune of Rs 7552,58,95,692. The district collectors have been asked to register cases against 56 defaulting mining leaseholders under Odisha Public Demands Recovery (OPDR) Act. Besides, a district level special task force would be formed to collect information about their movable and immovable properties and the bank balance,” Steel and Mines minister Prafulla Mallick told media persons here.
It may be recalled that the state government, acting on the directive of the apex court, had served demand notice on 137 mining leaseholders asking them to deposit penalty to the tune of Rs 19174,38, 39,806 by December 31, 2017. Out of 137 mining leaseholders, 81 of them had deposited the penalty in full amounting to Rs 11621, 79, 44,124 while of the remaining defaulting 56 mining leaseholders, 13 of them have the part payment.
“The state government would serve a show cause notice to 56 defaulting mining leaseholders as to why their lease licence should not be cancelled. If these leaseholders fail to either comply with a satisfactory reply or deposit the penalty within 60 days, the process for confiscation of their properties would be initiated,” the minister pointed out.
Since the 56 defaulting mining leaseholders have no other alternative, they will have to deposit the penalty amounting to Rs 7552,58,95,692.
“We are hopeful that a majority defaulting mining leaseholders would be able to deposit the penalty within 60 days and retain their lease. Prabodh Mohanty, secretary, East Odisha Mines Owners’ Association, told the media.
The Supreme Court in August 2017 had directed the leaseholders to pay 100 percent penalty within December 31, 2017 for excess and illegal mining and asked the state government to service notice to this effect.
