Shah Commission forms committee for field survey of mines

In a bid to give full scope to mine lessees to defend themselves in ‘illegal’ mining in Odisha, Justice M B Shah today extended the hearing till Monday and set up a 7-member committee for physical verification of boundaries of mines.

“The commission, which was scheduled to wind up its hearing here tomorrow, has been pleased to extend it till Monday,” an official of the Shah Commission said.

Stating that Justice Shah would not hear any case on Sunday, he said the hearing could continue till lunch tomorrow.

The panel during its three-day hearing heard about 55 mine lessees while about 30 mining companies were allowed to make fresh field vefification of their boundaries.

Though initially it was considered that field verification could lead to non-completion of the investigation into illegal mining by July 16, 2013, a senior official of the Commission said: “July 16 is far away. We are optimistic of completing the investigation much before that.”
Sources said that the commission was likely to submit its report in two phases.

The first phase report would be based on mines which did not apply for fresh verification and the second and final one would include the observation on the remaining mining companies.

The commission has been investigating 186 iron and manganese mines in Odisha.
On the formation of the committee, Justice Shah said “The committee will comprise seven members including a representative from the commission. Officials from different state government departments, IBM and a representative of the lessees would be taken as member.”

The committee was likely to start the field verification from March 4, sources said.
Justice Shah on the first day of hearing on February 27 had agreed to undertake physical verification of mine areas following objections raised by lessees.

The lessees had objected to the differential geographical positioning system (DGPS) method of boundary demarcation by the Odisha government.

Justice Shah’s statement indicating existence of illegal mining in the state, has sent ripples in the Odisha administration with senior officers holding a close door meeting over the matter last night.