Hindustan Times (Bathinda)

Under fire, Haryana says defaulting contractor­s can’t resume mining ops

- HT Correspond­ent letterschd@hindustant­imes.com

CHANDIGARH: Under fire from the Opposition, the Haryana government on Tuesday suspended mining operations of a number of defaulting mining contractor­s who were granted relaxation for the payment of dues last week. The decision allowed defaulting mining contractor­s in state to resume mining operations.

Hindustan Times had on April 13 highlighte­d the controvers­ial move of allowing defaulting mining contractor­s to resume mining operations by granting relaxation for payment of dues. These contractor­s owed Rs 553 crore to the state government and have failed to pay it despite the introducti­on of a one-time settlement scheme.

Officials said now, the defaulters mining contractor­s will have to first pay two instalment­s – one concurrent and one for pending dues – before they can be allowed to resume mining operations.

They will also have to give an affidavit giving an undertakin­g in the form of an affidavit that they will pay the committed amount of two or more instalment­s by seventh of each month.

In case they fail to make payment along with interest by 15th of the month, the mining lease will be terminated without any further notice, officials said.

Official data showed that of the 48 operationa­l mines in state, 38 mining contractor­s have defaulted in making payment of government dues and operations of 13 had been suspended. “Suspension of many defaulters was revoked last week. However, the government decided to review the matter and suspended the operations again of more than 10 miners who were yet to start payment of government dues,” an official said.

There are 20 mining contractor­s who have defaulted on payment for more than six months while 16 have not payment for 3-6 months. There are 12 contractor­s who have not paid for less than three months.

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