BJP holds missing of file a ploy to hide mining scam in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR: Orissa unit of BJP today alleged that the missing of an important file from mines department was a nothing but a cover up the illegalities committed by officials and others in the multi-crore mining scam.

"The missing story of the file containing valuable information relating to the scam is simply a ploy to hide illegal acts and violation of rules by officials while favouring certain mining operators," senior BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra told at a press conference here.

He said an under secretary in mines department had filed an FIR with the Capital Police Station here on December four about missing of the imprtant file, required by the vigilance wing of the state police probing the mining scam.

Alleging that the vigilance was acting at the dictat of chief minister's office, Mohapatra and BJP legislature party leader K V Singhdeo said vigilance sleuths should have seized the crucial file for their investigation.

"As the government wants to protect the illegel mining operators and the officials who favoured them illegally, vigilance was not allowed to touch the file, which would have exposed all wrong doings since 1992," they claimed.

The Naveen Patnaik government rejected the demand for a CBI probe into the mining scam as it could influence investigation by the state vigilance wing, they said.

Recalling a recent order of Orissa High Court, they said the state government lacked a proper mining policy and entire mining activities were in a mess.

Alleging a nexus among officials, politicians and businessmen in running illegal mining, Mohapatra alleged that several people benefiting from the racket had bought high valued land and property in a particular locality of the state capital in the last six months.