Odisha government denies information on allegations of lowering grade of ore to evade royalty

Right to Information (RTI) activists have expressed concern over the denial of information on show-cause notices issued to mining lessees accused of evading royalty by manipulating the grades of iron and manganese ore in Odisha’s Kendujhar district.

Bhubaneswar-based RTI activist Pradip Pradhan had sought information from the Directorate of Mines and Geology on show-cause notices issued to mine owners allegedly involved in grade manipulation (declaring extracted ore as low-grade and subsequently selling it as high-grade). He had also sought details of the number of lessees involved in the alleged malpractice and reports received and verified by the Directorate of Mines.

“I had simply sought copies of the show-cause notices issued to mining lessees. My request was denied because disclosure of the information would hamper the ongoing investigation. However, the government has indirectly acknowledged the existence of such show-cause notices,” Mr. Pradhan said.