(DNA)
Mining companies in Odisha that were operating without environmental clearances were ordered to pay 100 per cent penalty on the price of illegally extracted iron and manganese ores with effect from 2000-01 by the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
The bench comprising Justices Madan Lokur and Deepak Gupta directed the Centre to set up a panel of experts under the guidance of a retired apex court judge to identify the lapses over the years which enabled rampant illegal mining in the state and recommend preventive measures. The bench also urged the Centre to have a fresh look at the National. The companies have been directed to deposit the amount on or before December 31.
Mineral Policy, 2008 which is almost a decade old, particularly with regard to conservation and mineral development. “We make it clear that minerals extracted either without environmental clearance or without forest clearance or without both will attract the provisions of section 21(5) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and that 100 per cent of the price of the illegally or unlawfully mined mineral must be compensated by the mining lease holder,” it said.
