Oppn stalls assembly on Thakurani mines scam

The Opposition members today paralysed proceedings in the state assembly over alleged loot of iron ore valued at Rs 10,000 crore from Thakurani mines under Joda circle held by Sarada Mines Ltd.

MLAs from both the Congress and BJP created pandemonium within the house and trooped to the well after the speaker Niranjan Pujari disallowed a debate on the issue.The Opposition had moved adjournment motion on the issue, citing the enormity of the scam. The speaker was forced to adjourn the house twice as the Opposition legislators created noisy scenes and rushed to the speaker's podium.

Opposition chief whip, Taraprasad Bahinipati said, “The speaker did not admit an adjournment motion on the serious issue of loot of iron ore worth Rs  10,000 crore from Thakurani mines that was illegally transported to Chhattisgarh. It seems the government does not want any discussion on the issue.”

BJP state unit chief K V Sinhgdeo also accused the government of shying away from a debate on the issue.

“This government always claims it is ready for debate on any issue. But is is shying away from a discussion on the Thakurani mine case. The government is scared of being exposed and hence, has rejected the notice on the adjournment motion”, he said.

Government chief whip Ananta Das, however, said, “The government is not scared and there is no question of the government backing out. As per rules, adjournment motions are permitted only on recent issues. Since the mines scam issue is more than five years old, it was not fit for discussion under an adjournment motion.”