The environment expert panel assisting the Supreme Court has reported large-scale illegal mining in Odisha. In its fresh report filed in the court on Friday, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has estimated that about 2,131 lakh tonne of iron ore and 24 lakh tonne of manganese ore with a notional value of Rs 17,576 crore were illegally extracted in the State between 2000 and 2011.
In its 178-page report, the Committee pointed out serious lapses in operation of mines in the State as most of them functioned without environmental clearance or in excess of environmental clearances and lease permissions.
“Between 2000-01 and 2010-11 a total quantity of 2,130.988 lakh MT of iron and 24.129 lakh MT of manganese have been produced without environmental clearance/beyond environmental clearance in the mining leases in Odisha,” the report prepared by CEC Secretary MK Jiwrajka said.
Those flouting the norm included PSUs and companies belonging to Tata and Aditya Birla groups. “The 14 lessees who have produced above 50 lakh MT of iron and manganese without or in excess of environmental clearances include Orissa Mining Corporation, BPME ltd (a Central PSU) and companies belonging to some of the well known corporate groups such as Tata Group and Aditya Birla Group,” the report said. These companies account for 72.83 per cent and 57.86 per cent of iron ore and manganese production respectively.
The notional loss to the exchequer by way of average price of minerals published by the IBM would add up to Rs 17,091.24 crore for iron ore and Rs 484.92 crore for manganese, the report said. The CEC pointed out such illegality was with connivance of “senior officers” of the State Government for which the Chief Secretary downwards should be held responsible for loss of revenue and allowing illegal ore to be transported out of the State.
It recommended that 30 per cent of the notional value of the iron ore and manganese extracted by the defaulting companies should be recovered from them. It further demanded compensation for environmental loss to be deposited by erring firms within three months.