BHUBANESWAR | Jan 30, 2017: The Orissa High Court has last week dismissed the writ petition filed by State Government in Arjun Ladha mining lease case and upheld the order passed by the Revision Authority under the Ministry of Mines.
While confirming the order passed by the Revision Authority setting aside the State Government’s show cause notice to Arjun Ladha mines for termination of mining lease, a division bench of the High Court comprising Justice Biswanath Rath and Justice Indrajit Mohanty said the Government’s writ petition does not merit consideration.
The State Government had stopped mining operation of Arjun Ladha mines from 2009 following allegations of illegal mining of ore outside its permissible area and illicit transportation of ore. The lessee was granted mining lease for iron ore over an area of 326.50 hectares in Keonjhar district in 1966.
The Steel and Mines Department passed order for termination of the mining lease of Arjun Ladha on February 15, 2011 under Rule 27 (5) of Mineral Concession Rules-1960. The lessee contested the Government order in the Revision Authority on April 26, 2011.
In its order, the State Government said the lessee had violated Rule 27 (5) of Mineral Concession (MC) Rules by not keeping accurate and faithful accounts showing the quantity and other particulars of all minerals obtained and despatched from the mines.
The State Government conducted joint inspection by officials of Forest, Mines and Revenue Departments. The Government proceeded to cancel the mining lease basing on the report of the joint verification committee.
The lessee moved the Revision Authority against the action of the Government. The Revision Authority, after examination of all documents submitted by the Government, found no evidences of illegal mining and accordingly, set aside the Government order for lease determination.
The Government challenged the order of the Revision Authority in 2012. The Revision Authority has not only gone into the details of the matter but also considered each aspect before rejecting the stand of the Government, the High Court order stated.
(Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/)