By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: At a time when the Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi led BJP Government offered 12 mineral blocks for auction, claiming it strictly adhering to environment and forest laws , but it seems an eyewash considering the rampant violations.
A Show Cause-cum-Reprimand Notice for Non-Compliance of Environmental and Forest Conditions by the Divisional Forest Officer Keonjhar Division to India’s leading Steel maker M/s Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India, ( AMNS-India) run Thakurani Iron Ore Mines under Barbil in CM Majhi’s home district , exposing an ugly nexus at the highest level ranging from Steel and Mines Department to Chief Minister’s Office. M/s Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India is one of the bidders in on-going Odisha mining auction for 12 blocks.
The DFO in his notice dated January 28, 2026, clearly stated how AMNS violating the forest and environment laws and extracting minerals worth crores of rupees. DFO sought reply within 15 days from M/s Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India. The Company also reprimanded and directed to immediately commence regular water sprinkling on all haul roads and parking areas, regulate vehicular movement to minimise dust pollution, stop use of forest land forthwith until statutory forest diversion approval obtained.
The Notice addressed to the Authorised Signatory, Thakurani Iron Ore Mines of M/s Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India by the Keonjhar Division DFO, came after inspection.
‘It is to inform that an inspection of AMNS Thakurani Iron Ore Mines was conducted by the undersigned on 19th January 2026. During the inspection, several serious lapses and violations were observed, indicating negligence on the part of the User Agency” DFO said in his notice.
The following non-compliances were noticed:
1.Complete absence of water sprinkling on the Thakurani–Nalda Road and Nalda–Kiriburu Chhak, resulting in heavy dust pollution.
2.Parking areas used by mine vehicles were not watered, further aggravating dust emission.
3.The access road to the mine is passing through Reserve Forest land, and forest diversion approval has not been obtained, despite continuous use of the road, in violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
4.Avenue plantation directed to be carried out two years earlier has not been maintained properly, with survival rate found to be less than 50%.
5.Vehicular movement is unregulated, causing severe dust pollution in adjoining villages.
6.A public grievance has been received through the Joda Grievance Cell, forwarded by the local Sarpanch, reporting respiratory ailments among residents due to prolonged exposure to dust pollution.
7. The above observations reflect gross disregard for statutory obligations, environmental safeguards and public health concerns.
8.SMC Works such as garland drain and retaining walls, dump stabilization is not done properly.
‘In view of the above, you are hereby called upon to show cause within 15 days from the date of receipt of this letter as to why appropriate action shall not be initiated against the Unser agency under relevant provisions of Forest and Environmental laws,’ DFO asked.
The Company has been directed by the DFO to undertake re-plantation and proper maintenance of avenue planation to ensure minimum 90% survival and submit compliance report with photographic evidence within stipulated period and failure to comply will invite stringent action without further notice, DFO warned.
