(a) the details of mining areas with type of ores that has been recommended and leased out by the Government of Orissa with the approval of Central Government during each of the last three years;
(b) whether it is a fact that the parties of such leased out mining areas in the State have failed to honour the contractual agreement; and
(c) if so, the facts thereof and the steps taken by the Government to check violation of the contractual obligations?
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF MINES (SHRI RAMESH BAIS)
(a) : Mining leases are granted by the State Governments as per provisions of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act ) and the Rules made thereunder. Before granting reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease in respect of minerals included in the First Schedule to the MMDR Act, the State Governments are required to seek approval of the Central Government. As per information received from State Government of Orissa, the details of mining areas with type of minerals that has been leased out with the approval of Central Government during each of the last three years i.e. 2000-2001, 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 are given in Annexure.
(b) :Information regarding any lessee having failed to honour contractual agreement with the State Government is not maintained centrally. The State Government of Orissa has intimated that they also do not have information on any such failure to honour the contractual agreement in respect of these mining leases.
(c) : Does not arise.
ANNEXURE
Annexure referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2118 for 5.8.2003 asked by Shri Prabhat Samantray regarding leasing out mining areas in Orissa
2000-2001
Sl.No. Name of the District Mineral Location Area lessee in Hects. Date of execution Period of lease
1. M/s. Ispat Jajpur Chromite Kaliapani Alloys & Ranso 64.463 17.7.2000 30 years Ltd.
2001-2002
1. M/s. Jajpur Chromit Kaliapani 89.00 4.1.2002 20 years Jindal Strips Ltd.
2. M/s. Sundargarh Manganese Ore Bandhal 28.0207 14.3.2002 20 years Kanakdhara Mines & Minerals Pvt. Ltd.
2002-2003
1. Shri S.N. Keonjhar Manganese Kolha Das Rudukela 36.474 3.5.2002 20 years Mahapatra