Odisha Launches Recovery Drive Against Mine Owner Over Rs 72 crore Dues
Officials inspected and assessed the value of the mine owner's residential property, land holdings and other assets as part of the recovery proceedings. Sources said certain land parcels were taken into administrative possession during the operation
Bhubaneswar: The Mayurbhanj district administration on Friday launched a recovery drive against a mine owner in Odisha's Badampahar region over alleged unpaid mining-related dues amounting to nearly Rs 72 crore, official sources said.
A joint team comprising officials from the revenue, mining and police departments conducted raids and verification exercises at properties linked to mine owner Basanta Das of Kasiabeda village under the Rairangpur subdivision.
Officials inspected and assessed the value of the mine owner's residential property, land holdings and other assets as part of the recovery proceedings. Sources said certain land parcels were taken into administrative possession during the operation.
Das was engaged in iron ore mining activities in the Badampahar area. The recovery action stems from a case involving alleged violations of environmental clearance norms in mining operations.
According to official sources, proceedings against the mine owner were initiated in 2018, following which a penalty of around Rs 36 crore was imposed. As the amount remained unpaid, interest accrued over the years, taking the outstanding liability to nearly Rs 72 crore.
Officials said Friday's operation formed part of the government's efforts to recover the dues. Revenue and mining authorities carried out an inventory and valuation of both movable and immovable assets linked to the mine owner.
The district administration is expected to continue the recovery process in the coming days to realise the pending amount, sources added.
