Srikant Jena demands CBI probe into mining scam in Odisha

Senior Congress leader Srikant Jena today alleged a nexus between BJD government and mine owners caused a "scam worth over Rs two lakh crore" in Odisha and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to order a CBI probe into the mega scandal.
Hitting out at Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the former Union Minister sought to know as to why these two leaders, who claim to have adopted "zero tolerance to corruption", are afraid of CBI probe into mining scam.
Dismissing Jena's contention, BJD vice-president and MP Prasanna Acharya said his party, which practises zero tolerance to corruption, is not at all averse to CBI probe into mining issues.

"BJD is not afraid of CBI probe. If the Supreme Court directs for a CBI inquiry into illegal mining operations, BJD will welcome it and abide by its order," he said.
Acharya also rejected Jena's allegation about a nexus between BJD government and mine owners as baseless.
Referring to recent Supreme Court order on mining scam, Jena said while the mine owners, who indulged in illegal mining, should pay penalties to the tune of Rs 70,000 crore, Naveen Patnaik government is allegedly trying to get the amount slashed to the level of Rs 17,000 crore.

The mining scam in the state involved around Rs two lakh crore during the last 15 years because of an "unholy nexus" between the BJD government and unscrupulous mine owners which can be unravelled only through a probe by the CBI, Jena claimed at a press meet.

Stating that Justice M B Shah Commission had already recommended CBI inquiry into the mining scam in Odisha, he said both the Centre and the state Government should take steps for probe by the premier investigating agency.
Asking the state government to take control of all mines in the state, he said properties of mine looters should be confiscated and legal action taken against them.
Jena went on to claim that there are mine looters in all political parties including Congress. Without naming any leader, he claimed because of these elements Congress is losing its base in Odisha.