Faced with a number of mining scams that has apparently dented its image to certain extent, the Orissa government has launched an operation to detect “frauds” and “irregularities” in mining lease deals.
The operation, among others, aims at looking into the allegation of illegal sub-lease of mines to private parties by the existing lease holders.
“The state government has constituted a committee comprising government officials and chartered accountants to verify violation of Rule-37 of Mineral Concession Rules, 1960,” state steel and mines minister Raghunath Mohanty said on Tuesday. Giving sub-lease illegally to private parties amounted to violation of Rule 37 under the Mineral Concession Rules 1960. The newly-constituted committee, comprising 16 CAs, has been asked detect cases of alleged violations of Rule 37 of Mineral Concession Rules, 1960.