August 13th 2024.
In Keonjhar, a recent decision by the Kolkata bench of the National Green Tribunal has caused quite a stir. The tribunal has imposed a hefty fine of over Rs 6 crore on mining company Serajuddin and Co for causing environmental damage at their Balda iron ore mines in the Joda mining division of Keonjhar district. As per sources, the tribunal has directed the company to deposit the penalty with the Odisha State Pollution Control Board.
Following the tribunal's order, the member secretary of the SPCB has issued a letter to the mining company, asking them to pay the penalty amount. This decision was made after a special bench of the tribunal, while hearing a case of environmental damage between Ramachandra Mahant and others against M/s Serajuddin & Company, ordered a joint investigation of the company's mines on April 21, 2022.
Subsequently, a joint inspection committee, consisting of the Keonjhar Divisional Forest Officer, Champua Sub-Collector, scientists from the Central Pollution Control Board, and the regional officer of SPCB in Keonjhar, visited the mines on July 11, 2022. After conducting a thorough ground study, the committee determined a penalty of Rs 6,00,18,750 for the environmental damage caused by the mining activities. They also urged the company to implement a mine restoration plan.
The joint committee's report was submitted to the registrar of NGT's Eastern Zone bench in Kolkata by the District Collector of Keonjhar on August 1, 2022. After analyzing all the reports, the tribunal ordered the mining company to pay the penalty amount.
However, instead of complying with the order, it is alleged that the company has gone to court to delay the implementation of the decision and avoid paying the penalty. It is also reported that the Justice Shah Commission, which was investigating illegal and irregular mining, had found irregularities in the company's operations and imposed a fine.
When approached for a comment, Prasant Kar, the Regional Officer of SPCB in Keonjhar, stated that the company has appealed against the NGT's order in court and is yet to deposit the penalty for the environmental damage. On the other hand, Subas Mohanty, the senior manager of the company, stated that the court has granted a stay on the order, and they are waiting for the matter to be resolved before taking any further action.
The situation remains unresolved as the court continues to hear the case and the company dodges payment of the penalty. It is a matter of concern for the authorities, and it remains to be seen how this issue will be resolved in the future.
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