legal cases by nearly 200 mine owners in the State is coming in the way of realising a whopping Rs63,199-crore fine imposed on them which is close to the amount of the Annual Budget of the State Government. This has come to fore with the reply of Mines Minister Prafulla Kumar Mallik in the State Assembly in reply to a question of Rourkela MlA Dillip Ray.
Ray had asked the Minister to inform him about the action taken against the erring mine owners since 2004. As per the information provided by the Minister, a fine of 63,199 crore was imposed on 198 organisations and individuals in Koida, Joda, Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Rourkela, Koraput, Talcher, Balangir, Jajpur Road, Baripada and Bhawanipatna mining circles between 2001 and 2010 for illegal mining.
The notices for fine were given between 2011 and 2014 but the erring mine owners have filed suits in courts against the demand notices. According to the reply, a staggering Rs13,188 crore fine has been imposed on 55 companies in Koida circle only while in Joda circle 72 companies have been fined Rs41,385 crore and Rs1,975 crore on nine companies in Keonjhar circle.
Similarly, Rs15 crore fine has been imposed on three lessees in Sambalpur circle, Rs79 crore on 23 companies in Rourkela circle, Rs60 crore on five companies in Koraput and Rs6,001 crore on 14 lease holders in Jajpur circle and Rs466 crore on 11 companies in Baripada circle. There are also a few more companies which have been showcaused by the State Government for illegal mining and fined.
These companies have been sent repeated reminders to pay the fine in the last three years, but they have moved courts against the Government move, the Minister told Ray. However, Rs88 crore has been realized from some defaulters between 2009 and 2010, Minister told Ray in reply to his question.