The State Government has issued demand notice to 212 mining companies, which were involved in illegal mining and transportation activities, for penalty collection during the last five years but only two of them have paid fine.
Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Kumar Mallick informed this in the State Assembly in response to a question of BJP MlA Dilip Ray on Friday.
According to the data, the State Government had issued demand notice to the Shiva Cement deposit penalties of Rs 68,89,014 with the Government. The company has deposited the whole amount.
Similarly, the Government had issued a notice to leaseholder AN Patnail asking for penalties of Rs 3, 36,962. However, the leaseholder has paid only Rs 1,05,698 so far.
The Government has issued demand notice to 55 mine leaseholders in Koida circle, 72 leaseholders in Joda circle, eight in Keonjhar circle, five in Samablpur circle, 23 in Rourkela circle, seven in Koraput circle, two in Talcher circle, two in Balangir circle, 14 in Jajpur Road circle, 11 in Baripada circle, three in Kalahandi circle and 10 mine leaseholders in Cuttack circle. Penalties were imposed for illegal activities committed between 2012 and 2016.
After receiving notices, many of these leaseholders have filed cases at Revision Authorities operating under the Ministry of Mines and obtained stay orders. Some cases are also sub-judice at the High Court and the Supreme Court.
The State Government has taken expeditious steps to collect penalties from illegal miners after the Supreme Court passed an order in this regard on August 2, the Minister said.