Odisha Govt Cancels 48 Mining Lease Tenders In Malkangiri

Malkangiri: The Odisha government has cancelled 48 mining lease tenders for minor minerals in Malkangiri district.

Malkangiri collector Vishal Singh cancelled the tenders on the recommendation of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Southern Range) after an investigation into irregularities in the entire tender process for the mining lease in the district.

It may be recalled that there were serious allegations against the then Malkangiri collector Yeddula Vijay over gross irregularities in the tender process in the district.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee working president Pradip Majhi in a press briefing on June 23 this year had alleged that Vijay had received Rs one crore and a luxury vehicle as a bribe from Andhra Pradesh’s CH Venugopal, proprietor of VG Granites situated at Peta village in Motu tehsil, for awarding lease of seven stone quarries by manipulating the tender process of Minor Mineral Sources (Sairat) held in March in connivance with the Revenue Inspector and Tehsildar of Motu.

Following the allegations, the state government on June 27 transferred Vijay and posted him as director, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services.

Also Read: Cong Accuses Malkangiri Collector Of Corruption, Seeks Probe Into Stone Quarries Tender Fixing