Bhubaneswar: The state government has decided to take over excess land from the lessees, if their mining leases are found to be in excess of captive requirement while considering the second and subsequent renewal on the leases.

In a letter, the steel and mines secretary has asked the department’s director to take immediate steps to furnish a list of all leases awaiting second and subsequent renewal with requisite details, including excess land occupied by any lessee in a week after proper verification.

As per the direction, in case of fist renewal of a mining lease granted for captive purpose, no mineral shall be put to non-captive use as any such use will amount to violation of the lease condition.

Stating that any instance of violation of lease condition may be brought to the notice of the government forthwith, the secretary said that excess land occupied by a lessee can also be taken over by the government.

While authorizing second and subsequent renewal of mining leases under existing Section of the MMDR Act, 1957, the resolution made it mandatory that the state government has to satisfy itself that such renewal would be in the interest of mineral development. The secretary also said that the reasons are to be recorded while authorizing the renewal.

As per the decision, leases awaiting second and subsequent renewal but operating under existing provisions of Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 would be covered by a policy decision. Each of such case is to be reviewed and decided in a time bound manner, he said.