ML Rungta, Rungta Mines, Indrani Patnaik and Serajuddin among offenders The vigilance department in Odisha has initiated cases against mine owners in connection with illegal mining. The miners against whom cases have been lodged include ML Rungta (Silijora-Kalamati iron ore & manganse mines), Rungta Mines Ltd (Jajang iron ore & manganese mines), Indrani Patnaik (Unchabali iron ore & manganese mines) and Sirajuddin & Company (iron ore mines). All these mine owners have their leases under Joda circle in Keonjhar district, minister for steel & mines Rajani Kant Singh informed the state assembly in a written reply. It may be noted illegal mining, chiefly of iron ore and manganese ore, has snowballed into a major issue in the state with both the Supreme Court appointed MB Shah Commission of enquiry and the Central empowered committee, also appointed by the apex court investigating into statutory violation by lessees. During its last visit to Odisha from October 31-November 11, the Shah Commission had raised serious concern on mining beyond leasehold area. The commission probing into cases of large scale mining of iron ore and manganese ore without lawful authority, was expected to submit its report soon on illegal mining in Odisha. The panel had verified the records of around 150 iron ore mining leases during its recent visit to the state. Of late, the Shah Commission had sought a detailed response from the government on the impact of suspension of scores of mine leases on the state's economy. Following the mines department's clampdown to curb irregularities in mining activities, only 129 of a total of 600 mining leases in the state are currently operational. While 240 mines have been suspended on account of lack of statutory clearances, 140 others have been temporarily discontinued. More recently, a team of officials of CEC had also held talks with top officials of state government. The CEC team had urged the officials to expedite the process of renewal of mine lease applications. The CEC in its report in April 2010, had pointed out the misuse of 'deemed extension' clause in Odisha under Rules 24-A (6) of Mineral Concession Rules-1960. "Under the garb of deemed extension clause (Rules 24-A (6)) of Mineral Concession Rules-1960 and because of the non-implementation of the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act and the other applicable Rules and Guidelines, widespread and rampant illegal mining operations have been taking place in Odisha. The organised illegal mining is taking place with the active support of the state government and has resulted in the breakdown of the constitutional machinery,” the CEC report had mentioned.