Mining officials raid coal firm, return empty handed

A flying squad of mining officials today conducted raid in the Amrapara-based premises of Panem Coal company but returned empty handed as no official of the company was present there during the raid.
The raid was conducted following continuous reports of irregularities in the Panem coal company, whose two coal blocks were among the 214 cancelled by the Supreme Court recently, District Mining Officer, Pakur, Chintamani Mahato said. He was also a member of the flying squad.
Except an incomplete dispatch register, nothing was found as no official was present during the raid, he said.
Following the reports of irregularities in the company, the state government formed the flying squad headed by Deputy Director (Mining) A K Mandal with all district mining officers of the six districts under Santal Paragana region being member of the squad.

Mahato said the squad conducted the raid in connection with outstanding royalty and other issues.
Panem owed Rs 40 crore royalty to the state government, he said adding that officials have directed the company to clear the outstanding royalty soon.

Mahato claimed that the company have been transporting coal through railway without registration, which was illegal.
Besides, the royalty being paid by the company was based on the coal despatched through railways rather than it was despatched from the mines, which caused revenue loss to the government.
The officials have also served a notice to the company seeking explanation from it, Mahato added.