core sector communique

Extension of tenure of Shri Justice M.B. Shah Commission of Inquiry

The Union Cabinet today approved the extension of tenure of Shri Justice M.B. Shah Commission of Inquiry till 16th July 2013 which was set up to enquire into cases of illegal mining. An additional expenditure of Rs.50 lakh will be incurred towards the extension of tenure of Shri Justice M.B. Shah Commission of Inquiry. The extension has been sought since the Commission is collecting and compiling information on mining from seven important mineral producing States, which is quite voluminous, extension has been sought for one year. The Commission was set up to identify cases of illegal mining, and also to identify and rectify management, regulatory and monitoring system failures in curbing illegal mining. The Commission will cover the States of Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Madhya Pradesh. Background : Taking into account the serious concerns of Government on several reports of large scale illegal mining and failure of State Governments to effectively curb this menace, Government set up Shri Justice M.B.Shah Commission of Inquiry on 22nd November, 2011. The Commission is based in Ahmadabad. It was required to submit its report by 16th July 2012.