A high-level panel of secretaries in its Action Taken Report (ATR) on the Justice MB Shah Commission has claimed that the Odisha Government is not keen on holding a CBI probe into cases of illegal mining. However, the Odisha Government claimed that trial in certain criminal cases has already begun and the matters are subjudice.

The Cabinet has decided to table both the Justice Shah report and the ATR in Parliament. The Pioneer is in the know of some of the contents of the ATR, which the Committee of Secretaries (CoS) headed by Cabinet Secretary AK Seth had prepared on the Shah Commission's report. The ATR, apart from suggesting the State Government's reluctance on seeking a CBI probe into illegal mining cases, has sought an early recovery of the value of illegally extracted iron ore and manganese ore which it has estimated to be worth Rs 59,203 crore.

The Odisha Government, the ATR has said, is learnt to be reluctant about CBI probe into cases of illegal mining as it has claimed that local courts have already taken cognizance of these instances and are subjudice, therefore further probe is not required. The ATR is also learnt to have recommended a CBI enquiry into evasion of freight in all the zones of Indian Railways and has sought criminal action against those entities involved in illegal mining activities.

    The CoS has said that instead of letting off the violators lightly by asking them to give compensation to original land owners or start the process of afforestation, criminal proceedings should be initiated against illegal miners. The illegally mined mineral ore should be e-auctioned, the Secretaries panel has further said in its ATR.

In addition to this, it has suggested that in case mining leases are not renewed within one year, these should be subject to "deemed refusal". The Shah Panel while strongly indicting the Odisha Government on illegal mining, had noted that mining leases were not renewed for several years on end in many cases.

The Shah Commission had also suggested CBI probe into all cases of illegal mining reported between 2008 and 2011. After the commission's report on illegal mining in Odisha had been received by the Government in July last year, it had set up a CoS to prepare an ATR on its findings. This ATR is to be now submitted to Parliament along with the Commission's findings after the Cabinet cleared it on February 6. The ATR added that the CBI should especially probe cases of illegal mining in Joda mining circle of the State.