Public sector Bisra Stone Lime Company Limited (BSLC) has stopped production of limestone and dolomite following a direction from Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB).

Company sources said that the mining operation had to be stopped last week following the direction of OSPCB, Bhubaneswar in absence of environment clearance which expired on March 31, 2011.

OSPCB had issued a letter on November 9 mentioning that consent to operate cannot be considered because the company has not submitted the environment clearance in respect of their mines, they said.

However, BSLC claimed that the company has got all valid mining papers and requested OSPCB to issue consent to operate on the basis of valid environment clearance of 18,000 tonne production per month.

Due to halt in production, century old BSLC has been facing difficulties in supplying material to customer’s plants like Steel Authority of India Limited and Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited, sources said.

The company, meanwhile, has applied to state pollution control board for renewal of environment clearance after meeting all criteria, they said.

Mining operation Chief of BSLC, Mr Anup Bage said there was no forest land in its mining area and the company has been planting trees in its area regularly to keep the surroundings pollution free with green cover.

The company has also been making payment of royalty and abiding by all statutory rules of the state government.

Meanwhile, Independent MLA from Biramitrapur, Mr George Tirkey has demanded immediate step for resumption of production by BSLC located at Biramitrapur in Sundargarh district as about 25,000 persons including more than 1,000 regular employees depend on the company for a living.

Morever, the company is situated in a tribal area and more than 80 percent of employees are tribals.

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