The Society of Geoscientists and Allied Technologists (SGAT) held a seminar here on Thursday to discuss the fallout of the decision of the Supreme Court directing the State Government to halt mining in all those mines that are operating under the deemed extension. A total of 56 mines in the State, out of the 187 operational mines for iron ore and manganese, are operating under the deemed extension clause and will be affected in spite of having all clearances.
At a Press meet following the seminar, SGAT advisor BC Mohanty came down heavily on the State Government for laying too much of emphasis on captive use of mines and allowing the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) a lion’s share in the allocation of mining leases at the cost of standalone mine owners.
He pointed out that the OMC has 35 leases and has only five of them operational to underline the lack of technical, managerial and financial resources to discharge the responsibilities assigned to it. Mohanty’s view received vociferous support from other members of the miners’ fraternity present at the meet. Pointing out the arbitrary decisions of the State Government to allow eight mines to operate out of the 26 that were closed on the orders of the court he wondered why the others were not allowed the same privilege.
SGAT president Dr BK Sarangi said the dismal of state of the State’s mineral development can be gauged from the fact that out of 600 mining leases only 125 are in operation and over 13,790 mineral concession applications are pending with the Government for many years now for disposal. He demanded that Odisha, which is the only major minerals-bearing State without a minerals policy, must frame a policy at the earliest. SGAT secretary BK Patntik was also present.
Minister for Steel & Mines Prafulla Kumar Mallik inaugurated the seminar preceding the Press meet.
He mentioned the need for all the stakeholders to work together to develop the mineral wealth of the State for rapid industrialisation and suggested that the SGAT send the outcome of the deliberations to the Government which would be useful in formulation of an appropriate policy.