Centre to hear JSL, GSIL mines case on Dec 28

The Ministry of Mines, Government of India will hear the revision applications filed by Jindal Stainless Steel (JSL) and Gandhamardana Sponge Iron Ltd (GSIL) against the order of the state government imposing penalty charges for violation of mining rule violation on December 28.

While the JSL matter will be heard for admissibility of the case, for GSIL, the Central Revisional Authority will decide about granting stay order against the Government of Orissa decision, said a letter from the Union steel ministry.

The state government had fined the Kaliapani chromite mines of JSL and Putapilani iron ore mines of GSIL for some rule violations. These companies went to the Central government appealing to review the state government order. GSIL is in the dock for excess raising of 2.51 million tonnes of iron ore at its Putulipani iron ore mines spread over 100.16 hectares in Keonjhar district during April 2004 to August 2009. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in its report had observed that in respect of this glaring violation, the lessee was liable to pay Rs 216.69 crore to the government for extracting ore beyond the approved quantity.