Bhubaneswar: With a large number of mines remaining closed in Odisha due to lack of statutory clearances, both the state and the central governments on Monday resolved to make mining activities here a legitimate economic activity by complying with all such requirements.
This was decided at a high-level meeting presided over by Odisha`s Chief Secretary JK Mohapatra and attended by Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Anup Kumar Pujari, and Secretary, Ministry of Steel G Mohan Kumar.
The meeting reviewed the situation arising out of closure of mines due to lack of statutory requirements.
Stating that all mining activities were not illegal, Union Mines Secretary AK Pujari said the legalised mining leases which have been stalled due to non-compliance to statutory clearances or some inter-departmental decisions, would be revived through joint efforts of both at the state and the central level.
Pujari pointed out that as on today, Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act-1957 was the governing legislation of the country and all issues relating to lease, auction, prospecting license, renewal and others would be decided as per the provisions of the Act.
