Odisha minister linked to illegal mineral transportation: Congress

The Odisha Congress Saturday alleged that Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick was involved in illegal transportation of minerals before joining politics in 1998.

Senior Congress leader Lalatendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra said that Mallick was involved in illegal transport of minerals and had paid a fine after a court order in 1998.

He said police in Dhenkanal district had seized a truck belonging to the minister with chromite ore and he paid a fine of Rs.95,000 in a local court in Talcher.

Though Mallick admitted to having paid a fine, he denied any wrongdoing.

"I had a truck before joining politics. My truck was hired by a Congress leader for transport of chromite ore. Since the owner is held responsible for anything that goes wrong with the vehicle as per law, I had to pay the fine of Rs.95,000.

"I have not indulged in any wrongdoing," the minister said.

Mallick said he would quit politics if it was proved that he did it knowingly.