OdishaPlus Bureau
Keonjhar Collector Ashish Thakarey has passed an order to seize the movable and immovable properties of six mining leaseholders who had failed to deposit fine for violating mining norms. The Collector has asked the tehsildar-cum-executive magistrate concerned to seize the properties of the defaulting mining leaseholders within one month.
The six mining leaseholders are SD Sharma, BPME Ltd, BK Mohanty, BD Pattanayak under Joda Mining Circle and Basudev Agrawall and Narayani Sons under Keonjhar Mining Circle.As many as 31 mining firms of Keonjhar district were found to have violated norms pertaining to mining and environmental laws.A fine of Rs 6,350 crore was imposed as penalty on 23 mining houses.
Only Eight out of 11 lessees had responded to the notice issued by the District Magistrate and appeared for hearing on Saturday and presented their affidavit. Three mining companies remained absent during the final hearing.Sharda Mines, BPME, Dr Sarojini Pradhan, OMDC, BD.Pattnaik, FACCOR, Narayani Sons Pvt Ltd from Joda mining circle and two lessees from Keonjhar mining circle had appeared for the final hearing in Keonjhar.
Inspite of court notice, Sibadutt Sharma, B.K.Mohanty, Basudev Agarwal failed to appear but the final hearing was made in their absence. So far BD Pattnaik firm has paid only Rs1 crore out of imposed penalty Rs 8,96,01,825. The firm has been ordered to pay the balance amount by 29th June failing which the assets will be seized and auctioned immediately.
OMDC, a Govt of India undertaking has paid only Rs 511,79,72,727 out of total penalty Rs 675,70,12,338 for which they have been ordered to pay the balance in next 45 days.OMDC has been noticed to reappear on 12th July. An Amount of Rupees 2, 97, 84,299 is to be recovered from SD Sharma, Rs 871, 43, 77,003 to be recovered from BPME after auctioning their assets.
In the Joda mining Circle 28 mines held by 20 lessees were imposed a total penalty and interest amounting to 6041,98,39,402 and 3 lessees in Keonjhar mining circle were fined 308,36,19,540 for which court proceedings were initiated by the District Collector.