Bhubaneswar: The State Government has asked Advocate General (AG) to dispose of the Orissa Rural Infrastructure and Socio-Economic Development (ORISED) Act, 2004 in the Supreme Court in consultation with the Law Department.
This was informed by Steel and Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena in the State Legislative Assembly today.
Notably, the ORISED Act is required to be revived before implementation of the Supreme Court order for levy of tax on mineral-bearing land.
The Supreme Court has decided that the State Governments are empowered to levy tax on land bearing minerals. In the said matter, on August 14, 2024 the Supreme Court further directed that the dues can be realised retrospectively after April 1, 2026 in 12 annual instalments without imposing interest.
The ORISED Act, 2004 and ORISED Rules, 2005 framed by the State Government were challenged by the NALCO , EZMA and Others and the High Court in their orders on December 5, 2005 had struck down the said Act & Rules, Jena said.
This was challenged by the State Government before the Supreme Court of India in 2006. The said Act has not been disposed of by the Supreme Court, he said.
The appeal in favour of the Act is required to be disposed of by the Supreme Court. The Act was not yet disposed of by the apex court.
“The Learned Advocate General, Odisha has been requested in the matter, in compliance of advice of the Law Department, to take up the matter before the Supreme Court for early disposal of CA No. 1883 of 2006,” the Minister said in his reply.