Congress sniffs BJD-BJP nexus on mining scam probe

Union steel & mines minister Narendra Singh Tomar says there is no plan by Central govt to hand over the probe to CBI

The state Congress leaders today accused the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) of having a secret understanding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for not handing over probe to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the mining scam.

The Union steel & mines minister Narendra Singh Tomar during his recent visit to the state said there was no plan by the Central government to hand over the probe to CBI.

"I am surprised to note that the Union steel and mines minister feels there is no need for a CBI probe into the huge mining scam in Odisha. It is unfortunate that the recommendation of the Shah Commission has been ignored. The Centre should respect the recommendations of the commission, which was set up by the central government and clear its stand before the public about the probe," former Union minister and Congress leader Srikant Jena said.

The Justice M B Shah Commission of enquiry that probed into iron ore mining in Goa, Karnataka and Odisha, has concluded that all types of illegal mining were carried out in Odisha. The commission had recommended CBI probe against 14 mine leaseholders of the state in its second report submitted last year.

However, the Odisha government had replied that there was no need for CBI probe into the mining scam since it was already investigated by the state vigilance. "The state government has recently told us that there is no illegal mining going on in the state. The irregularities were made earlier and is being probed by the Vigilance. So, there is no question of a probe by CBI," Anup Pujari, Union mines ministry said earlier this week. However Congress leaders hit back saying the Centre cannot wash its hands off the affair.

"I demand intervention of the Prime Minister into the matter to ensure a CBI probe into mining scam. If necessary, we will write to the prime minister stressing on our demand," said Jena.

Congress leaders also stated that the BJP wants to keep a favourable equation with the BJD to ensure the regional party's support in the Rajya Sabha.

"The Modi government wants to keep the BJD in good humour given the arithmetic in the Rajya Sabha. The BJD is also scared of its leaders being booked by the CBI in the chit fund scam," said Jayadev Jena, president of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC).

Since the BJD and BJP were ruling alliance partners between 2000 and 2009, the mining scam will expose leaders of both the parties if there is a CBI probe, he added. The state unit of BJP, on the other hand rubbished the charges levelled by the Congress. "The Union minister never said that the Centre was not willing to handover the probe to CBI. Still, we will demand to the Centre to order a CBI probe into mining scam," said Bijay Mohapatra, senior leader of BJP in the state.