Bhubaneswar, July 4: The Odisha government has asked mine owners, who as lease holders are availing the benefit of “deemed extension” pending renewal, to pay stamp duty or face action.

The Odisha government has directed district collectors to stop operation of 57 such mine owners if they failed to clear stamp duty by July 9.

As per the provisions of the Indian Stamp (Odisha Amendment) Act, 2013, mine owners, who have applied for renewal of their mining leases and decision is pending, can operate using the “deemed extension” clause. But they will have to pay the necessary stamp duty.

Prior to the passage of the Indian Stamp (Odisha Amendment) Act, 2013, lease holders, whose renewal applications were pending, were not required to pay stamp duty.

Steel and mines minister Rajanikanta Singh said after the amendments came into force from May 10, all the collectors were instructed on May 25 to ensure payment of stamp duty by the applicants for renewal of mining lease. “However, not a single applicant has responded so far,” he said. Steel and mines secretary Rajesh Verma wrote to all the district collectors yesterday asking them not to allow operation of mines under the “deemed extension” provision, unless stamp duty is cleared by July 9.

Mine owners said leaseholders were yet to receive demand notice. “Unless we receive the notice, how can we pay the stamp duty or seek time?” asked Prabodh Mohanty, spokesman for the Eastern Region Mines Owners’ Association. “We will chalk out our next course of action after tomorrow’s meeting with the secretary,” he said.

The minister, however, said none of the mine leaseholders had sought further time in writing. “If any one asks for more time for payment, we will consider it,” he said.