Orissa to allow mining only after all clearances in place

The forest and environment department also suggested that transfer of mining lease having forest land from one lessee to another should be done only with prior approval of the Union environment ministry.

Early this month, the state steel and mines department had sent penalty notice worth Rs 76,000 crore to 104 mining leaseholders including Tata Steel and Essel Mining for excess mining in their leasehold area between 2000 and 2010 as well as violations of Air Pollution and Water Pollution Act.