Vigilance probe ordered into iron ore mining lease row

The Congress-led UDF Government in Kerala today ordered a vigilance inquiry into alleged irregularities in giving in-principle sanction to a Bellary-based company for mining iron ore at Chakkittappara in Kozhikode district when LDF was in power.
The probe was ordered in the wake of allegations that the private company was given the in-principle nod by ignoring the bid of a public sector company and the clearing of the proposal involved serious procedural lapses.
The order issued by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in this regard said a special vigilance team would be formed for the inquiry.
A release from Chief Minister's Office said the previous government had given in-principle nod to the company through a letter in April 2010 to mine iron ore over 406.45 hectares at Chakkittappara and 53.9303 hectares at Mavoor and 281.2250 hectares at Kokkoor, also in Kozhikode district.

Though government later cancelled all the permissions, the issue recently regained focus amid allegations that the then Industries Minister in the LDF ministry, Elamaram Kareem, had shown undue interest in clearing the proposal.
It was also alleged that a Kozhikode-based businessman with interest in real estate was involved in seeking clearance for the project in gross violation of procedures involved.
The Congress party in the state had expressed resentment at the delay in ordering the probe.