By Our Correspondent
KOIRA/BARBIL/BHUBANESWAR: Several environmental and wildlife activists on Saturday demanded a CBI probe into Penguin Trading and Agencies Ltd Joda-Barbil-Koira region in Odisha’s mineral rich Keonjhar and Sundargarh. The company involved in illegal mining. Illegal mining and transportation continuing at Penguin Trading and Agencies Ltd, illegally hatched good relations with Odisha Government and Indian Bureau of Mines officials.
“We demand CBI probe against Penguin Trading and Agencies Ltd and arrest of Company Director, Chairman and for illegal mining, air, water pollution, wildlife and forest act violation and violation of mines and minerals act,” MP Nath , a leading wildlife activist said.
The Odisha Government’s decision to grant the mining lease in Sundargarh-Keonjhar mining belt raised many eyebrows as the mines firm looted crores from Sundargarh-Keonjhar region of Odisha’s mineral rich belt through illegal mining, he said.
Despite CBI cases, Vigilance cases and other illegal mining cases in Odisha High Court, Supreme Court , Justice MB Shah Commission , the company managed get an extension to its mines. The State Government has extended the lease period as per the provision of the MMDR (Amendment) Act, 2015 while keeping a blind eye on illegal mine owners.
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.
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.
The firm has been violating forest and wildlife laws .The Company, which is also creating air and water pollution while defying orders of Odisha State Pollution Control Board and Union Forest and Environment Ministry. Action should have taken against the company under Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and Odisha Forest Act-1972 and Mines and Minerals Act. But instead , the company got extension to run its closed mines.
Company which operating without valid consent to operate should have been issued closure directions or will be prosecuted as per the provisions in Water (PCP) Act, 1974 and Air(PCP) Act, 1981.While granting “consent to operate”, it will be ensured that the proponent has obtained all other statutory clearances under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.The Company has no respect to labour laws, they said.
