BHUBANESWAR: The Ministry of Mines has taken exception to a large number of applications pending for mineral concession and renewal of mining leases with the State Government. “It is noticed that the pace of disposal of cases has been slow. The pendency is particularly high in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Tamil Nadu,” said Union Mines Director RK Malhotra in a recent communique to the State Government. According to the latest quarterly report submitted to the Centre on February 16, there were 3,612 applications pending with the State Government for disposal. While 33 applications are pending for reconnaissance permit (granted for preliminary survey), the State Government is yet to dispose of 1,884 applications for prospecting licence (PL). The report said that 1,695 applications had been pending for grant of mining lease (ML) and 158 applications for renewal of mining lease. The State Government, however, is treading very cautiously and taking a selective approach in the matter of granting mining lease. Although the State Government has recommended a few cases for grant of mining lease to the Centre for approval, several cases are locked in court battle, official sources said. The State Government had issued notice to more than 200 mining lease holders for cancellation of mining lease since 2006. However, in 125 cases, the Mines tribunal in the Ministry of Mines has set aside the showcause notice of the State Government. After joint verification of eight mines last year, the State Government issued showcause notices to three mining leaseholders - Indrani Patnaik, KJS Ahluwallia and TP Sao last year - for cancellation of mining lease. The Mines tribunal rejected the State Government notice for determination of Indrani Patnaik’s mining lease in January. In several cases, mining lease period has expired and the mines are kept idle for more than two years, the stipulated time for lapse of the mining lease. In some other cases, people claiming to have power of attorney of the original leaseholder have sought permission from the Government to operate the mines. If the mining leaseholder violates any of the terms and conditions of the mining lease, including default in payment of mining dues, the mining lease can be terminated, said an officer of the Steel and Mines Department. The Ministry of Mines has been requesting all the mineral-bearing states to dispose of applications of mineral concession and renewal of mining lease within the stipulated time.
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