The State Government on Saturday said it would issue an Express Order for the Tatas’ Sukinda chromite mines soon.
Mines Director Deepak Mohanty told mediapersons that a high-level meeting discussed issues relating to renewal of five mines. “The issued relating to Tatas’ Sukinda chromite mines was discussed. It was decided that we will issue an Express Order to it soon, but we cannot issue a working order as the company is yet to receive complete forest clearances,” Mohanty said.
He said renewal decision on 18 mines, which have been closed as per a Supreme Court order, would be taken after replies on show-cause notices are received from the lessees. “We have sought more information from lessees of these mines. We will wait till November 22 for their replies and take decision accordingly,” Mohanty said.
Notably, the State Government on November 11 served show-cause notices on the lessees of the 18 mines asking them to reply as soon as possible on the report of the apex court appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC), which had observed gross irregularities in these mines.