Politics · India Bureau
Odisha Government Withholds Data on Ore Grade Manipulation Allegations
Right to Information activists have alleged systematic collusion between mining operators and state officials to suppress investigations into suspected royalty evasion schemes. The Odisha government has refused to disclose details on the matter, citing confidentiality concerns.
LSN India ·
RTI campaigners have accused mining lessees and government officials in Odisha of orchestrating a coordinated effort to obstruct probes into allegations that ore grades are being deliberately downgraded to circumvent royalty payments. The activists contend that such manipulation allows operators to classify higher-quality mineral deposits as lower-grade material, substantially reducing the state's mining revenue.
According to the allegations, the suspected nexus extends to waiving or drastically reducing financial penalties against errant mining companies, effectively shielding them from accountability. RTI requests seeking government records on these alleged irregularities have been denied or remain unanswered, raising further questions about transparency in Odisha's mining administration.
The state government has not publicly addressed the specific accusations regarding grade manipulation or the alleged collusion between private mining operators and officials. Officials have also declined to provide comprehensive data on enforcement actions, penalty assessments, and royalty recovery efforts in the mining sector.
The controversy adds to ongoing concerns about mining governance in Odisha, India's leading mining state, where regulatory oversight and revenue protection mechanisms have periodically come under scrutiny. Environmental and transparency advocates have long raised questions about the administration of mining leases and compliance with statutory obligations.