Mining scam heat in Odisha Assembly as opposition targets Govt

Bhubaneswar: A virtual face-off ensued between BJD and opposition parties in Odisha Assembly on the sixth day of Monsoon Session today after the latter cornered the ruling party with allegations of mining scam in the state.

Soon after the House convened, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Pradipta Naik raised the issue and alleged that mining Mafia and bureaucrats have siphoned off crores of rupees from illegal mining in the state. And renewal of mining leases is not favourable for Odisha, he added.

Similarly, Congress Legislature Party Leader Narasingha Mishra  said nine mines blocks in the state have incurred revenue loss of Rs 3600 crore. Such a huge loss can not occur without the knowledge of the Government, he stated demanding action against the involved officers.

Countering the allegations, BJD MLA Pratap Deb said Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal and Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had visited Odisha during  2015 -16 and stated that the state would receive lakhs of rupees from mining revenue. But how much money the state actually received?, he questioned.

“Auctioning of coal blocks is held as per the guidelines of Supreme Court, Centre and state Government. Nothing is being hidden,” he stated.

The legislator further questioned as to why Congress did not provide evidence during the probe into the alleged illegal mining in Odisha carried out by  Central Empowered Committee (CEC).  He challenged the opposition parties to come up strong evidence in support of illegal mining in the state, if they have and told them not to politicize the matter.