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The Telegraph India reported that the Indian government has rejected a suggestion to completely ban the export of iron and manganese ores. The proposal was given by Justice MB Shah Commission of Inquiry set up to look into the irregularities in mining between 2008 and 2011.

The report tabled in Parliament said that the country had lost minerals worth over INR 59,000 crore because of illegal mining in Odisha during 2008 to 11. It recommended either a ban on iron ore exports or capping the production at 50 million tonnes per annum against the current level of 150 million tonne per annum to ensure conservation.

The Centre, in its reply on the action taken report that was tabled in the Rajya Sabha, said that it was not in favour of a blanket ban though it had the national interest in mind.

The Shah panel report said that the value of the unlawful extraction of iron and manganese ore comes to INR 59,200 crore. Let the state government recover the said amount by finalizing the proceedings on the basis of the notices as early as possible. The recovered amount should be used for the development of the Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts in Odisha, which are badly affected by illegal mining.

It said recommending CBI probe that since there is involvement of mighty lessees, big traders of state and outside state, political entities, officers at higher rank, it will not be possible by state police to find the facts and realities and there would be no justice done for the quantum of illegalities took place.

Source– The Telegraph India