Mining firms causing revenue loss to face stringent action; Says minister in Assembly The Odisha Government is set to initiate legal proceedings against the mining companies involved in under reporting of revenues due to illegal mining activities. It has said by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mukesh Mahaling in the State Assembly on behalf of the Minister of Mines. According to Mahaling, an investigation is underway targeting the entities accused of mis-representing the quality of high-grade ironore as lower-grade major minerals, a practice that has purport-edly led to significant revenue losses. The State’s actions are based on the findings of Shah Commission, which under pins the legal cases amounting to a total of Rs 2,700 crore filed against 23 mining firms. Mahaling provided an overview of Odisha’s mining revenue over recent years: Rs 13,981 crore for 2020-21, Rs 49,859 crore for 2021-22. Rs 38,075 crore for 2022-23, Rs 46,396 crore for 2023-24 and Rs 39,242 crore for 2024-25. “Certificate cases for around Rs 2,700 crore have been registered so far against 23 mining companies, based on Shah Commission report. The government is taking appropriate steps for recovery of the said amount,” said the minister. Odisha is rich in various minerals, making it susceptible to illegal mining. Commonly targeted minerals include coal, iron ore, bauxite. chromite and manganese. Illegal mining activities add significantly to deforestation, soil erosion and water pollution. The use of hazardous chemicals like mercury and cyanide in illegal gold mining contaminates water bodies, posing severe threats to aquatic life and human health. Illegal mining leads to substantial revenue losses. Local communities often suffer displacement, loss of livelihood and health problems due to environmental degradation caused by excess and illegal mining activities.
Mining firms causing revenue loss to face stringent action;Says minister in Assemblyction
