Top mining companies in an organised move on Wednesday sought to prove that they are committed for social development of the mining zones of Odisha.
They told the Justice MB Shah Commission in Ahmedabad that they are in process of forming a consortium, Gramin Vikash Chaitanya Kendra (GVCK), a trust to spearhead Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts.
The mine owners are in search of a respected personality with credibility to head the GVCK to scale up the socio-economic activities. And the mining lessees presented a blueprint of a Rs100-crore outlay for development of minerals-rich Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts to the commission probing illegal mining in the State even as the hearing on violation of Rule 37 of the Mineral Concession Rules (MCR)-1960 remained incomplete.
On the second day of the hearing in Ahmedabad, the lessees unveiled their CSR plan in the first phase. They said they would present the final report on April 13. The money would be spent through the proposed trust to be formed by the lessees. "The blueprint for Sundargarh and Keonjhar is mainly to see that the lessees do something for the society. They would have hospitals and schools and ensure that midday meals are served," said Justice Shah.
Supreme Court lawyer Gopal Subramaniam, who appeared on behalf of the Tata Steel, said lessees have joined hands to put together a proposal for spending Rs 100 crore for developmental activities in the two districts.
However, the hearing on violation of Rule-37 could not be completed on the day as the discussion on the blueprint stretched over several hours. The commission heard the contentions of about seven miners. The hearing had also remained inconclusive on violation of Rule-37 of MCR, 1960 on March 16. The commission had asked the State Government to place its views on April 3.
According sources in the Steel and Mines Department, the Government had issued show-cause notices against eight mining lessees found guilty of violating Rule-37.
They are Indrani Patnaik, KJS Ahluwalia, RP Sao, Sarada Mines, Aryan Mines (Koira), Mala Ray mines (Keonjhar), Kabita Agrawal (Koira) and Mideast Integrated Steel's (Mesco) Barbil mines.
Rule-37 of Mineral Concession Rules debars lessees from assigning, sub-letting, mortgaging or in any other manner transferring the mining lease or any right, title or interest therein without previous written consent of the State Government.