CM peeved at clearance delay

CM peeved at clearance delay

Statesman News Service

Oct. 21 2005

BHUBANESWAR - Peeved over the delay in forest clearance for the mining projects of the state-owned Orissa Mining Corporation, chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik today directed the forest officials to obtain the clearance within six months.

The direction from the chief minister came at a high level meeting, chaired by him to discuss the problem. It was revealed from the review that applications for the forest clearance for 14 mining projects of the OMC were pending with the state government and Environment & Forest Ministry at various levels.

The above mining projects could not be made operative for want of forest clearance, the meeting was informed.

While five projects (Sukrangi, south Kaliapani and Kaliapani chromite mines, Daitari iron ore mines and Kurmitar iron & manganese mines) were cleared by the Environment & Forest Ministry, two proposals for the Boula chromite and Nisikhal manganese mines were rejected. Another three projects ( Kathpal, Kalrangi , Sukrangi chromite mines and Gandhamaradan-B iron mines) were pending with the Environment & Forest Ministry.

Besides these, six projects ( SGBK iron & manganese mines, Tiringpahar iron, Dalki iron & manganese mines, Seremda-Bhadrasahi iron & manganese mines, Banspani and Khandbandha iron mines) were pending with the divisional forest officer, Keonjhar, another four projects (Koira-Kasira, Koira-Bhanjapali and Rantha iron mines and Kurmitar iron & manganese mines) were lying undisposed with the DFO, Bonai.

Application relating to the Birasal chromite mines was pending with DFO, Dhenkanal while the Orissa Mines Corporation has to apply for eight projects (Dubna manganese, Sakradihi iron, Roida manganese, Parulipda manganese, Sarubil-Sukrangi chromite, Mahagiri chromite, Baniapank chromite and BPJ iron ore mines).

A visibly displeased Chief Minister wondered why there was so much delay in obtaining forest clearance for the OMC projects while the private parties were getting timely forest clearance.

Steel & Mines Minister, Mr Padmanav Behera said steps would be taken to expedite forest clearance. Fresh applications would be submitted in the proper format, wherever necessary.