“This at least can remove the poverty of tribals who are affected or whose lands are used for mining purpose,” the report said, adding that mining operations led to displacement of tribals and forced them to stay in “pathetic and miserable conditions”.
The Odisha government has already sent out 146 notices to leading iron and steel makers which were allegedly involved into illegal mining.
The Commission, set up to look into irregularities in the mining space between 2008 and 2011, said: “During this period, there was a collapse of government machinery” which “looked to be ineffective and helpless in front of mining mafia, persons in political life, mighty lesses and some corrupt officials”.
“Since there is involvement of mighty lesses, big traders of state and outside state, political entities, officers at higher rank, it will not be possible by state police to find the facts and realities and there would be no justice done for quantum of illegalities took place,” it said recommending a CBI probe into the issue.
