Bhubaneswar: The Odisha steel and mines department on Saturday has sent a Rs.2056 crore demand notice to Sarda mines for mining beyond the Environmental clearance (EC) limit.
The Sarda mines, which supplies Iron Ore to Jindal Steel and Power (JSPL), is situated in 3 adjoining villages such as Soyabali, Balita and Thakurani in Keonjhar district.
As per reports, the demand notice has been sent by the joint director of mines of Joda mining circle under Section 21 (5) of MMDR Act, 1957, for the monthly excess production on pro-rata basis of in excess of the Environmental Clearance.
Initially, a notice was sent to Sarda Mines on October 6, last year after a State Level Enforcement Squad (SLES) of the Director of Mines found violation of Environmental laws. However, as no reply was submitted by Sarda Mines, another notice was sent on January 7, 2021.
The mining company submitted a reply to the Mines Directorate on January 25. Dissatisfied with the reply of Sarda mines, the joint director sent the demand notice today.