Opposition to rake up Sarada mines, chit fund issue in budget session

The opposition parties have decided to raise the issue of discrepancies related to Sarada mines lease transfer case as mentioned by the Supreme Court appointed panel and involvement of ruling party leaders in chit fund scam in the budget session that starts tomorrow.

The Central Empowered Committee (CEC), appointed by the apex court, had mentioned that the state government ignored the objection of then chief secretary for allowing transfer of Thakurani iron ore lease in favour of Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL). It has been alleged that the steelmaker was unauthorisedly operating the mine, which belonged to Sarada Mines Private Ltd.

"JSPL was not only operating the mine illegally, but was also exporting the mineral out of state. Since the state government did not acknowledge the noting of then chief secretary, it seems there was some hidden agenda. We will certainly raise the issue when mining related discussions will come up," said Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader, Narasingha Mishra.

The CEC report on status of illegal mining was filed to the SC last year. No decision has been taken on the report yet.

This is not the first time that the name of the JSPL has been linked with the state government for wrong reasons. Earlier, Congress leader Srikanta Jena had alleged that the Naveen Patnaik government recommended a coal block in favour of JSPL, which has built a steel plant in the state.

"The issue of why the government ignored the objection of then chief secretary in lease transfer case of JSPL will certainly be raised at appropriate forum," said Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo, state president of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The ruling party said, it would try to abstain from the discussion as the matter is under trial.

"The CEC has filed a report as per the SC order and the case is pending. Similarly JSPL has moved HC over the matter. So it would be improper to discuss these issued on the floor of the assembly," said Prafulla Mallick, steel and mines minister. Apart from mining irregularities, the Opposition would also discuss the chit fund issue and involvement of ruling party leaders in it. Last year the government had to trim the winter assembly session as Opposition members created ruckus demanding clarification from the state government over arrest of some of its leaders in connection with the multi-crore scam.

"This despotism (downsizing of assembly working days) will not be tolerated this time as chit fund issue is a mega scam and has affected nearly 25 lakh families of the state. We will certainly raise the issue but will also act as a constructive Opposition and will support the bills in the interest of Odisha," Mishra added.

The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) said, it will cooperate with Opposition members to discuss all the issues. It said, the new land auction policy is an answer for land scam issue to be raised by the Opposition.

"We will discuss a number of issues related to public interest including the Centre's negligence towards the state," said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.