Govt serves notice on 152 leaseholders over fine collection

Bhubaneswar: The state government on Monday served demand notice on 152 mining leaseholders over penalty for excess mining of minerals in violation of environmental clearances.
The notice for collection of fine has been issued in accordance with the Supreme Court order of August 2 and the leaseholders, including 47 in Koida Mining Circle of Sundargarh district, are required to deposit the amount by December 31.
Official sources said the fine amount of a little over Rs 17,500 crore was calculated on the basis of the recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) constituted by the apex court.
Briefing media on Monday at the secretariat here, Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick said, “Those who had mined in excess will also be served notice. The assessment of the same is on. The Forest Department has already submitted its papers with our department regarding violation of forest and environment norms. It is also being assessed.”
The CEC had revealed that 2,155.11 lakh tonne of iron and manganese ore were illegally extracted in 10 years from 2000, the sources added.