By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/JODA/KOIRA: Call it B Prabhakaran led Mines Lobby continues to play their Cards in Naveen Patnaik’s Mining Policy in this mineral and coal eastern Indian State of Odisha. The Indian Forest Service officer of 1986 batch, Deepak Mohanty became the first Director of Mines under Steel and Mines Department of Odisha, who is enjoying the rare privilege of being given service extension for record 8th times in a row by the Patnaik Government with additional charge as ODS and Special Secretary in Steel and Mines Department.
Sources said, with State Government all set to issue NITs for 9 virgin mining blocks, Mohanty was given another extension coming under pressure from mining lobby. “Mohanty has no considerable contribution to State’s exchequer only except saving face of Chief Minister Patnaik since the Odisha Mining scam wreck havoc in mining zones of Joda-Koira-Rairangpur-Sukinda under mineral rich Keonjhar-Sundargarh –Jajpur and Mayurbhanj belt. During Mohanty’s tenure as Director of Mines, Odisha witnessed Rs 60,000 crore Mining scam. Deepak Mohanty’s role also questionable in Gandhamardhan mining scam worth Rs 217 crore.
Mohanty’s role also suspicious during Justice MB Shah Commission probe into mining scam and subsequent hearings in Supreme Court, which resulted illegal mining fine amount reduced to Rs 16,000 crore from Rs 60,000 crore.
Earlier speculations were rife that the 1988 Batch IFS Debidutta Biswal may replace1986 Batch IFS Deepak Mohanty as Director of Mines in Odisha on July 1 but on July 10, the State Government again extended his tenure for another 1. Deepak Mohanty has been serving as Director of Mines for last 8 years since 2012.
Biswal, who joined as Additional Secretary Department of Forest and Environment (DoFE) in June 2012 , was to take charges as Director Mines on July 1 but it was cancelled and Mohanty has been given extention. On promotion, Biswal continued as Special Secretary in Department of Forest and Environment for last so many years. Biswal was given additional charge of Member Secretary Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB).
“Biswal was hopeful for the post but coming under influence of mines mafia, Government took u turn,” said a source in Bhubaneswar. Amiya Sarangi was also served record times in State Assembly as Secretary as he showed undue favour to BJD soon after Naveen Patnaik snapped ties with BJP in 2009 and faced a floor test.
Notice Inviting Tenders (NITs) for 9 Virgin Mining Blocks to be issued soon in Odisha. The blocks identified are Purheibahal, Chandiposhi, Rengalaberha North-East, Gandhalpada, Netrabandh Pahar (West), Dholtapahar, Jumka Pathriposhi, Unchabali and Kalimati.
The 9 Blocks included 7 Iron Ore, 1 exclusive Manganese,and 1 block with co-existence of Iron Ore and Manganese. The 7 Iron Ore Blocks listed are Purheibahal, Chandiposhi, Rengalaberha North East, Gandhalpada, Netrabandha Pahar (West), Dholtapahar and Jhumka Pathriposhi. Unchabali has mixed Iron Ore and Manganese reserves while Kalimati is the sole Manganese block, official sources said.
For virgin blocks, the lessees will be tasked with obtaining all necessary approvals before they can lay their hands on the untapped resources.Shortly, the new leaseholders owould sign Mine Development & Production Agreements (MDPAs) and eventually, the lease deeds to keep the mines running again.Since the ‘deemed clearances’ granted by the Centre are valid for two years from the date of expiry of lease validity, the new lessees will stick to the same technology and comply with the already prescribed mining plans of the Indian Bureau of Mines.
