Notice issued to RBTL on mining scam

As part of the administrative enquiry into the multi-crore mining scam in Joda area, the Orissa government has issued notice to the Ram Bahadur Thakur Limited (RBTL) to ascertain the locus standi of the company to issue the power of attorney to another person named Shakti Ranjan Das.

The company will also have to explain whether the power of attorney was issued as per the provisions of the law. RBTL has been asked to reply by 4 September.

There were allegation of rampant theft and illegal mining of iron and manganese ores from the mines held by Ram Bahadur Thakur Limited (RBTL) at Rudukela and Katasahi in Keonjhar district. The state government had ordered both administrative and vigilance enquiry into the alleged scam.

Similarly, the director of mines and deputy director, mines (Joda) have been issued notice to explain under what circumstances they allowed deployment of security by a private organisation keeping the government in dark, when the mining lease for the patch was not granted to the person concerned.

“ As part of the administrative enquiry we have asked the RBTL to explain the mandate to give power of attorney to somebody elese. The company will have to explain whether the power of attorney issued was as per the provisions of the law and what is its latest position”, Ashok Dalwai, secretary, steel and mines said.

He said, the mining officials have been issued notice to explain whether the permission given by them were as per the law. The step taken by the government assumes importance as there was allegation that RBTL had been liquidated and the mining officials showed undue favour to the company.