The Odisha High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Union and State Governments over nonpayment of around Rs715 crore by 111 mining lease holders working in the State for using forest land for non-forestry purpose.
A division bench consisting of acting Chief Justice of the High Court Justice P Mohanty and Justice Biswajit Mohanty issued notices to the Union Environment and Forests Secretary, Odisha Chief Secretary, Forest and Environment Secretary and Industries Secretary over nonpayment of Rs714,47,02427 under Net Present Value (NPV) on a petition filed by Global Human Rights Communication executive director Subhash Mohapatra.
The court has sought reply within four weeks. The petitioner alleged that at least 111 mining lease holders working in the State have not paid NPV to the tune of Rs714,47,02427 as demanded by the Government in pursuance to the direction of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC). The petitioner said though he submitted a representation to the Chief Secretary on December 8 last year urging him for stringent action against the defaulter agencies with realisation of the NPV amount with accrued interest, no action was taken.
“The 111 mining lease agencies are indicating their defaulted NPV amount to the tune of Rs714,47,02427. Only five mining lease holders in the State have partly deposited NPV amount to the tune of Rs19,9964,512 where as balance amount of Rs15,66,22,202 is yet to be paid by the same five mining lease agencies, Urumunda and Uperjagar Mines of BD Agrawal, Kalparbat Iron Mines of Dr Sarojini Pradhan, Kalparbat Iron Mines of DD Patnaik, Khajuridihi Mandajoda and Dalita Mn. Mines of Matadin Sarda and Indian Rare Earth ltd,” the petitioner pointed out.
“It is crystal clear from the notification dated 17/18 September 2003 of the Union Environment and Forests Ministry that NPV shall be realised before Stage II (final) approval. But it is learnt that in the case of 111 mining lease holders some of them have received Stage-II (final) approval by the State authorities in violation of the guideline for which the involvement of highly placed executives of the State Government and Union Environment and Forests Ministry cannot be ruled out,” the petitioner said.