The Steel and Mines Department on Wednesday asked the Forest and Environment Department to furnish an action-taken report (ATR) on illegal mining in the State by July 18 so that the former can submit a detailed report to the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court within the stipulated time.
“We have asked the Forest Department to submit a report on violation of environment and forest laws by leaseholders and action taken thereafter by July 18. After getting the report, we will prepare a detailed report on mining activities to be submitted to the CEC by July 21,” Mines Director Deepak Mohanty told reporters.
A coordination meeting was held between the Mines and Forest Departments and Odisha Pollution Control Board officials to prepare the report.
Prior to the CEC hearing in New Delhi on July 22, the State Government would have a meeting with the mine owners accused of violating statutory provisions on July 18. The meeting would work out a ‘joint strategy’ to be adopted during the CEC hearing, sources said.
The CEC is expected to submit its status report to the Supreme Court by the end of this month to help the court take a final view on whether to order a temporary ban on mining in Odisha or not.