The Supreme Court of India has sought an updated compliance report from the Odisha government regarding the recovery of pending mining dues, while the state administration under Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, fiscal discipline, and protection of public revenue.
A bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih reviewed the long-pending matter of illegal mining and instructed the state to file a comprehensive report by December 1, with the next hearing slated for December 3.
Odisha Pledges Swift Compliance
Responding to the Court’s observations, the Advocate General of Odisha assured that the government remains fully committed to following the Supreme Court’s directions in letter and spirit.
“The State Government is conscious of its responsibility to protect public revenue and will take all lawful steps to complete the recovery process at the earliest,” he stated before the bench.
Officials clarified that the matter involves legacy cases predating the current administration, and that CM Majhi’s government has already directed senior officials to expedite pending recoveries through coordinated legal and administrative mechanisms.
Legacy of Judicial Oversight
The issue traces back to the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment of August 2, 2017, which mandated recovery of compensation under Section 21(5) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 from mining lessees that had extracted minerals without requisite clearances or beyond approved limits.
Since then, Odisha has filed multiple compliance affidavits before the apex court. As of February 2024, the state reported recovery of Rs. 2,745.77 crore (excluding interest), with proceedings continuing in cases where the Orissa High Court had granted interim relief to leaseholders.
Reforms under the Majhi Administration
Under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s leadership, the state has undertaken major reforms in mineral governance and revenue assurance. The government has strengthened e-auction systems, introduced real-time monitoring dashboards, and implemented technology-based audit mechanisms to ensure transparency in extraction and royalty collection.
These measures align with the Majhi administration’s broader agenda of responsible resource management, ethical industrialisation, and citizen-centric governance.
Ensuring Balance between Growth and Accountability
Odisha remains one of India’s leading mineral producers and a key contributor to national industrial growth. The present government’s approach—balancing investment promotion with strict compliance—has earned recognition for maintaining both fiscal prudence and environmental responsibility.
Senior officials confirmed that inter-departmental consultations are already underway to address procedural bottlenecks, ensuring faster resolution of legacy cases and protecting the state’s fiscal interests.
The Road Ahead
The Odisha government will submit its updated report before the December deadline, detailing progress on recovery, enforcement actions, and policy safeguards against future violations.
As one senior official in the Steel & Mines Department noted, “This government’s focus is on institutional accountability, not mere recovery figures. The objective is to build a self-correcting governance system that prevents such violations from recurring.”
With this proactive stance, Chief Minister Majhi’s administration continues to demonstrate that development and discipline can move hand in hand, reaffirming Odisha’s commitment to transparent, law-abiding, and investor-friendly growth.