With a large number of applications for renewal of mining leases pending for over 10 years, Odisha has set up an inter-departmental committee to consider such cases, official sources said on Wednesday.

The 12-member committee, headed by the Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, will examine applications for renewal of mining lease for statutory clearance, a notification by the Steel and Mines Department said.

Other members of the committee are: Secretaries of steel and mines, forest and environment, revenue and disaster management departments, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, (wildlife), Director of environment, Director of mines, Director of geology, Chief Executive Officer, Odisha Remote Sensing Application Centre and Member Secretary of the State Pollution Control Board.

Special Secretary (may be additional or joint secretary in-charge of the renewal activities) of the Steel and Mines Department will act as the member convenor of the committee, it said.

“The proposals for renewal of mining leases shall be put up by the Steel and Mines Department along with the recommendation of the committee before the State Government for the final approval or recommendation to the Central Government, as the case may be, under the provision of MM(DR) Act, 1957 and the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 or otherwise,” the notification said.

The modalities for the working of the committee and the frequency of sitting may be decided by the committee. “The committee may also invite any official or expert (s) having knowledge on mining, forest, environment, wildlife and other related matters to assist the committee,” it said.

The State Government’s move to set up a committee came after it decided to renew lease of the mines which would facilitate value addition to the mineral.

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