NMDC: 16 billion penalty imposed on NMDC, action causes stir

Raipur: After the Supreme Court recently gave the right of mineral royalty to the state governments, Dantewada Collector has taken a big action. NMDC Kirandul Complex has been issued a notice on Thursday and asked to deposit a penalty of Rs 16 billion 20 crore 49 lakh 52 thousand 482 for irregularities in the approved mining leases. In a letter issued by the Collector to the Executive Director (ED) of NMDC, mentioning the approved iron ore mining lease in village Kirandul, Tehsil Bade Bacheli, District South Bastar Dantewada, Deposit No. 14 ML area 322.368 hectares, Deposit No. 14 NMZ area 506.742 hectares, Deposit No. 11 area 874.924 hectares, it has been said that the reply to the notice issued in this regard is not satisfactory.

Along with this, the Collector has mentioned the violation of various rules of Chhattisgarh Mineral (Excavation, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2009 and has informed that a total of Rs 16,20,49,52,482 has been charged including the market value of the mineral and royalty. This amount has been asked to be deposited within 15 days.