Shah Commission’s 2nd phase hearing begins

BHUBANESWAR: The Justice MB Shah Commission probing the irregularities in mining in Odisha and some other States began its second-phase hearing of mining lessees at its Ahmedabad office from Tuesday.

On the first day of the hearing, the Commission conducted hearing on 27 mines out of 57 mines in the State leased out to 40 miners. It would also hear from the lessees on section-37 of Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act which imposes restrictions on subletting of mines to third parties.

The Commission, which is hearing violation of Rule-37 of the Mineral Concession Rules (MCR)-1960, questioned the lessees about the violation of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. Shah also asked about the encroachment made by the lessees in the mining area.     

A few lease holders, who could not present their cases in the previous rounds of hearings, would depose before the Commission during its three-day hearing in the Gujarat capital.

“The State Government has already submitted the report following the investigation on violation of Rule 37 of the MCR. Now the lessees are airing their views before the Commission. If the Commission asks any further information regarding the matter, the State Government would provide in time,” said director of Mines Deepak Mohanty.   

In addition to it, the lessees would provide a blueprint for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities they would undertake for development of mineral-rich Sundargarh and Keonjhar districts.