By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, November 29, 2016 : The Indian government has urged upon Odisha government to execute mining leases which are expiring on January 11, 2017 at the earliest.

Union Secretary of Mines Balvinder Kumar on Tuesday met Odisha Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi and urged upon him for early execution of lease deeds of some 60 mines set to expire in January.

“There are about 60 cases in which mining lease deeds are to be executed. On January 11, 2017 all these cases will lapse if lease deeds are not executed. So it is a matter of great concern for the Central government also. We want that lease deeds in all these cases should be executed,” Kumar told media persons after the meeting.

Kumar also held discussions with owners of the concerned mines in this regard. He said unless lease deeds are executed within the stipulated date these will lapse.

Expediting auction of mines in the state also figured during Kumar’s discussions with the state government officials.