BJP slams BJD MPs for using mining contractor's private jet

Thriveni Earthmovers Private Ltd is an accused in various cases of illegal mining

A senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader today questioned the propriety of about five MPs of ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) using an aircraft of Thriveni Earthmovers Private Ltd, an accused in the illegal mining cases, for a trip to Delhi from Bhubaneswar.

“Five MPs of BJD including Pinaki Mishra and Siddhant Mohapatra used an aircraft of Thriveni company for a trip to Delhi even as there are vigilance cases pending against the company for its alleged involvement in illegal mining running into thousand of crores of ruppes .We demand vigilance department to bring these leaders under their scanner since, it seems, they have an understanding with the company owner,” said Pradip Purohit, BJP MLA from Bargarh in the state assembly today.

Thriveni is a mineral extraction contractor and is engaged in raising iron ore for nearly half a dozen mines in Odisha. The state government has initiated enquiry against the company for its involvement in violation of Rule 37 of Mineral Concession Rule (MCR).Rule 37 is imposed against miners who sublet the lease ownership to a third party without intimating the state government. Similarly, the government has estimated a loss of revenue to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore for illegal raising and export of iron ore by Thriveni.

The MPs, however, denied the allegations. “There are many a times when we have flied together to Delhi, but I can not remember a particular incident of boarding an aircraft belonging to Thriveni company. I personally have no connection with the company nor have any interest in it,” said Ladu Kishore Swain, BJD MP from Aska, who was allegedly a co-passenger in that particular trip.

Other BJD leaders rubbished the allegations of BJP and said it was not unusual. “It is normal for politicians to take the help of industrialists, there is nothing unusual about it. The company can not be held guilty until and unless charges against it are proved,” said Damodar Rout, BJD vice president and state excise minister.