Odisha: BJP Leader Exposes Massive ₹9 Lakh Crore Mining Scam, Urges PM for CBI Probe

 Bhubaneswar: Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator and Leader of the Opposition in Odisha Legislative Assembly (OLA), Jayanarayan Mishra on Wednesday said he has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi drawing his attention to the Rs 9 lakh crore mining scam in Odisha under the present Naveen Patnaik government and sought a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

“I have written a letter to PM Narendra Modi sharing details about loot of minerals to the tune of around Rs 9 lakh crore between 2000 and 2014 under the very nose of chief minister Naveen Patnaik. Hence, there should be a CBI probe into this greatest ever scam of India,” Mr Mishra said while sharing the letter written to the PM with the media persons here.

“Naveen Patnaik, who is holding the chair of Chief Minister of Odisha for a period of 24 years now, is the mastermind and solely responsible for the scam which is considered as the biggest scam ever in India. After deep study on the subject from the relevant documents made available to me such as the report of Justice M.B. Saha Commission  Vol. I & Vol. II, CEC Report, Interim order of Supreme Court dtd. 2nd August, 2017 of W P (C) 114 of 2014, order of Hon’ble High Court, Odisha of W P (C) 21385 of 2018 and other relevant documents, I draw this opinion,” the LoP said.

“After going through page No. 123, Vol-I of Commission report where it is stated that “ This commission is not having any power U/S 5(A) of the commission of enquiry ACT, 1952 and therefore it would not be practicable to investigate into the allegtions of corruption,” he mentioned quoting Justice MB Shah Commission report that probed into Odisha mining scam.

He added, “The Commission of Enquiry submitted their report in June and October of 2013. In this way, Naveen Patnaik in connivance with Congress of the Centre got coverage and safely went on looting the exchequer from 2000-01 to 2013-14. The most important feature of this scam is that the Naveen government did not allow or reject the renewal application of lease and control them by allowing   for raising  of minerals through TWP/ Deemed Renewal either ordered by Judicial forum or by order of Chief Minister. Question arises why Naveen government did not allow or reject (disposed) the application of renewal of lease. Secondly why the government of Odisha did not keep his stand before the judicial forum at the time of disposal of application of lease.”

Mishra said the CM took leadership of the mining scam by organising lessees and certain bureaucrats; facilitating operations of mining of minerals, managing transportation, parking of loot minerals and managing legal hurdles.

“The main culprit of the scam was Naveen Patnaik. In partnership and association with the mighty lessees, he executed such biggest scam ever in India, thereby the lessees became scot-free to loot the exchequer. Thereafter, the lessees in connivance with district level bureaucrats along with Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) started extracting minerals. And Naveen Patnaik extended his patronage to the mighty lessees,” said the LoP.

He further mentioned: “To understand the mining scam in Odisha is, to extract the minerals without lawful approval. It was well-known to Naveen Patnaik that out of 196 mines, 176 mines are located within the dense forest area and the Union forest and environment ministry had not allowed / granted permission for diversion of forest area. Again out of 192 mining leases, 94 mining leases are without Environmental Clearance (EC), and out of these 94 mines, from 53 mines excess extraction of iron / manganese ore  have been made. Even knowing the facts above, the Naveen patnaik government allowed extraction of minerals from those leases to the lessees.”

There was, however, no reaction from the ruling BJD, to the allegation of the LoP.