The State Government has recommended a proposal to the Union Government for grant of bauxite mining lease covering 2,264.773 hectares in Sijimali and Kutrumali in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts in favour of the l&T in consonance to the MMDR Act provisions.
Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick on Friday told mediapersons that the State Government has made this recommendation after consulting legal experts, including the Advocate General. Mallick said this in an reaction to the allegation of leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra.
The company had made three applications for prospecting licence in the two places sin 1990.
After promulgaton of the MMDR (Amendment) Act 2015, the State Government had sought opinion of former Supreme Court Judge Justice AK Patnaik, who on April 6 opined that the l&T Company’s proposal to supply minerals to the VAl doesn’t amount to violation of prospecting licence norms and the State Government can recommend the grant of Ml in favour of the company with stipulation that within a certain period. The company has to set up the proposed alumina refinery and till the industry is set up, the bauxite excavated will be supplied only to refineries within the State, including the VAl.
Justice Patnaik has also opined that it would not be legally proper to reject the Ml application in the light of the MMDR (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015.
“After considering the opinion rendered by eminent legal experts, the State Government has in May recommended the Ml applications of the company with conditions that the company would set up a 3 mtpa in the State and 1.5 mtpa-capacity refinery would be set up within five years from the date of execution of mining lease period. Besides, the excavated bauxite would be exclusively utilized in the State only,” the Minister said.
The Minister further informed that the l&T has agreed to take up CSR activities in Rayagada. It will set up a skill development centre in Rayagada which would facilitate placement of 5000 youths from undivided Koraput district. Besides, it would set up national level school chains in the district.