The Government would recover the dues fixed by the Supreme Court from the mine owners if they fail to deposit the penalty within the stipulated period. If the dues are not paid, the mining leases would be cancelled.
“It is wrong to think that only licence would be cancelled if one fails to deposit the penalty within the stipulated period. But we have to wait till December 31, 2017,” said Mines Principal Secretary RK Sharma when it was pointed out by The Pioneer reporter that most of the mines owners have not deposited the penalty levied by the apex court for illegal mining.
Sharma had a discussion with reporters at Barbil on Friday when he was on a two-day visit to Keonjhar district.
He further said that opening of closed mines depends on fulfilment of certain legal obligations.
Asked about construction of a bypass road in Barbil NH-215 from Rimuli to Rajamunda, Sharma said he would comment on this after attending a DMF (District Mineral Fund) trustee meeting as observer next day.