Shah Commission’s hearing to be started from April 2

BHUBANESWAR: Justice MB Shah Commission probing the irregularities in mining in the State would begin second phase hearing of mining lessees at the Commission’s Ahmedabad office from Tuesday. Mining lessees and Government officials have left for Ahmedabad to attend the hearing.

During the last seating, the Commission’s hearing remained incomplete with the State Government not getting an opportunity to air its views. The fresh hearing would be held for interpretation of various issues while April 13 has been fixed for CSR activities to be taken up by the lessees. As many as 57 lessees would be heard within three days of the hearing, sources said.

Earlier, the Commission had re-examined the position of the mines in the State according to the guidelines sent by the commission to the State Government in this regard.  Following the complaints of the mine owners, the commission had allowed physical verification of certain leasehold areas during the hearing.

During the first hearing on March 16, the commission, which is hearing violation of Rule-37 of the Mineral Concession Rules (MCR)-1960, had urged the mining lessees and companies to prepare a blueprint on corporate social responsibility (CSR) for overall development of Sundargarh and Keonjhar districts in the State.