By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Steel and Mines, Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena while replying to Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati in Odisha State Assembly,
informed that Kolkata headquarters Serajudin & Co. not paid around Rs 102,57,53,763towards Compensation demanded and Payment Collected for Violation of U/s Sec 21(5) in Balda Block Iron Ore Mines in Keonjhar.
The Minister Jena said, the previous Lease holder of Balda Block Iron Ore Mines in Keonjhar, Serajudin & Co did not deposit a single rupees towards compensation demand for violation of MP/CTO, Interest paid on compensation for violation of MP/ CTO and Balance Recovery MPCTO is zero.
The Minister Jena further said , zero amount received towards total amount paid as compensation (forMP/ CTO) and applicable Interest while Status of compensation demand & applicable interest for MP/ CTO is nil.
The Minister said, a total of around Rs 102,57,53,763towards Compensation demanded and Payment Collected for Violation of U/s Sec 21(5) in Balda Block Iron Ore Mines in Keonjhar not paid by previous Lease holder Serajudin & Co.
It may be noted that Balda Block Iron Ore Mines in Keonjhar of previous lease holder , Serajudin & Co had came under scanner of both the Justice MB Shah Commission and Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court while both imposed penalty on previous Lease holder but the company yet to pay the amount to Odisha Government.
This apart, company played a key role in Odisha mining scam and violated Mines and Minerals Act, Mines and Minerals Regulation Act of 1957’s section 21. The company involved in illegal mining, theft and transportation. The company has violated pollution control act of 1986, air pollution control act of 1981, water pollution control act of 1974 and forest rights act of 1980.
The Company was accused of violating Rule 37 of the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 (now amended) which bars the transfer of control of a lease without prior government approval. Section 6 of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 requires any further grant, in excess of the 10-km limit, to be approved by the state but it also floated by the company.
Companies were supposed to extract mining with clearance of air and water pollution control under various acts like Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and consent to operate under the Water (PCP) Act, 1974 and Air (PCP) Act, 1981. Action should have taken against the company under Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and Odisha Forest Act-1972 and Mines and Minerals Act.
