If the state government’s plan goes well, Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) would get all the remaining mineral bearing areas in the state.
Odisha government would write a letter to the union government defending its stand to reserve all balance mineral bearing areas of the state not already held under any prospecting licence (PL) or mining lease (ML) in favour of OMC.
It is learnt that the state government plans to make the reservation for OMC on a case-to-case basis and for every reservation, it would take clearance from the centre.
Through its resolution dated September 18 last year, the state government decided to reserve areas bearing iron ore, manganese ore, chromite ore and bauxite for undertaking prospecting or mining operations through OMC.
The central government struck down the resolution pointing out that it does not conform to mining laws.
The state government cannot reserve any area not already held under any PL or ML for undertaking prospecting or mining operations through a government company or corporation owned or controlled by it, unless it has the approval of the central government as laid down in Section 17 (A) (2) of Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act-1957.
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