Parliament Panel Flags IREL Board Vacancies, Odisha Mining JV Delays

• Parliament panel criticized IREL for prolonged board-level vacancies and delays in its Odisha mining joint venture.
• The CMD position and four Independent Director roles at IREL remain vacant, despite previous recommendations.
• The IREL–IDCOL mining project in Odisha faces delays due to issues like forest land revisions and pending compensatory afforestation approvals.
• DAE is awaiting approval for the CMD and has escalated the Odisha JV issues, but the panel demands final action and resolution of clearances.
• IREL is advancing other projects, including a JV with Kazakhstan and mining plans in Odisha and Tamil Nadu, while the panel urged time-bound execution and better coordination.

Why It Matters: Bureaucratic delays at IREL threaten India's strategic mineral projects and efficiency.