Mining business threatened by political accusations in Odisha

By Bijay Mishra
Bhubaneswar, 18-4-23
  While various central agencies including IBM along with officials of State mines department are regularly monitoring, verifying and checking mines operations of the state , for which their is little scope of massive corruption in grade management and business of iron ore of auctions mine , the recent outburst of MP Mrs Aparajita Sarangi accusing the State Government on  alleged mines scam seems political- told Mr C R Sahu , Secretary “ JANMAT “. Mr Sahu told that mining business  is threatened by political accusations in Odisha . 

Recently BJP national Spokesperson & MP Mrs Sarangi accused the State Govt for massive corruption and loss to the state exchequer to the tune of thousands of crores due to the collusion between state govt machinery and private miners during the handling of private mines.  She also accused that private miners are pressurized to have specific Mine developer-cum-operator (MDO) or Raising Contractor specific transportation companies dictate the terms for transporting ore. In a press meet she also pointed  out regarding of lowering of grades in chrome ore and manganese (mn) ore from Odisha. 

Regarding accusation of deliberately downgrading the quality of ore and other charges  giving example of Siljora Kalimati mines , “Janamat “Secretary Advocate Mr C R Sahu pointed out that , the present lessee got the Siljora Kalimati Manganese mines in 2020 through an auction process of the State Govt of Odisha. Prior to this, more than 70 years, the mines was operated by Rungta Group. The present lessee is  operating mines in a much regulated way, and various officials from mining departments and central agencies are in regular intervals verifying materials in mines.

Mr Sahu in a letter to Chief Minister urged the Govt to support the mining business of the State for better revenue collection and subsequent development of the  State . Mr Sahu  also urged the Govt for proper utilisation of DMF . All projects under taken through DMF should be geotagged and all photos should be placed in public domain. There ought to be visible improvement in the lives of people in mining areas where the poverty and the condition of livelihood is still very poor.