Mining firms find escape route to SC's closure order

The Supreme Court set deadline to recover penalty against the illegal iron ore mining might have ended last year on December 31, but the order has been able to generate a paltry sum of  not more than `500 crore so far. Though the amount calculated by the authorities has been estimated at over `3000 crore .

More worrying to note  is  the fact that virtually no iron ore mine, identified for the violations, has taken place in terms of forest clearance, environmental nods or having inappropriate mining plans has to see a shut down aftermath the directions of the Apex court. Top sources in the Mines Department told The Pioneer that the companies in question have manufactured some way or the other to duck the obligation.

“So far we have been able to collect only about `500 crore of which SAIl has deposited about `200 crore and little coming from Usha Martin. The fines paid are only a small portion of the original amount charged. In fact, virtually no iron ore mine has been closed in view of the Supreme Court’s order in Jharkhand,” said a senior official of Directorate of Mines.