Odisha Seizes Rs 72 Crore Property in Mining Recovery Drive
The Mayurbhanj district administration of Odisha has initiated a major recovery drive against Basanta Das, a mine owner, recovering Rs 72 crore after unpaid mining-related fees.
Highlights
- •Basanta Das owes Rs 72 crore in unpaid mining dues.
- •Operational teams from revenue, mining and police departments launched the joint recovery action.
- •Baseline assessment of Das's property and assets were conducted during the raids.
- •Government proceeding with interest accumulation over years to recover full amount.
The Mayurbhanj district administration in Odisha has launched a significant recovery drive against Basanta Das, a mine owner in the Badampahar region. The action stems from unpaid mining dues amounting to approximately Rs 72 crore. Officials from the revenue, mining, and police departments initiated this coordinated effort to enforce legal measures.
Operational Overview
A joint team conducted thorough raids and verification exercises at Das's properties in Kasiabeda village under the Rairangpur subdivision. The operations included inspecting and assessing various assets such as residential property, land holdings, and other valuable goods. These actions were part of a broader strategy to ensure compliance with environmental clearances.
Despite a penalty of Rs 36 crore imposed in 2018 due to violations in mining activities, Basanta Das failed to settle the amount on time. This led to interest accumulating over several years and resulted in today's outstanding liability of nearly Rs 72 crore. The government continues its efforts towards recovering this sizable debt.
During Friday's operation, officials carried out an inventory and valuation process of both movable and immovable assets linked to the mine owner. This systematic approach aims to facilitate a streamlined recovery process for pending dues in the coming days.
