Bhubaneswar: Alleging large scale corruption to the tune of Rs nine lakh crore in the mining sector in Odisha, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday demanded a thorough probe into the scandal by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Addressing a press meet in Bhubaneswar, BJP stalwart and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Odisha Assembly Jaynarayan Mishra said it is suspected that ‘corruption’ in mining took place with the knowledge and under the supervision of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
No senior leader of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) or government official was immediately available for comment on the allegation made by the BJP leader.
It has been estimated that financial irregularities of Rs 8,97,443 crore have taken place in different forms during all these years in the mining activities in the state, Mishra claimed.
Since the involvement of the Chief Minister is suspected, it would be appropriate to order a CBI probe into the alleged scam, he said, adding that BJP has written to the President, Prime Minister, state Governor and Chief Minister in this regard.
The firebrand BJP leader further claimed that out of the 192 leased mines, 176 are located in forest areas. Out of the 176 mines located in forest areas, 98 are operating without forest and environment clearance, Mishra claimed.
Out of these 98 leased mines, 47 are running without forest clearance, while around 55 mines are adversely affecting rivers, rivulets, flora & fauna and tribal population in different parts of the state, the BJP leader claimed.
While excess exploration is being undertaken in around 75 iron ore and manganese mines, many mines are located near elephant corridors in Sundargarh and Keonjhar districts, severely affecting the life of the wild jumbos, Mishra claimed.
