Though there is permission for transporting fines from the mines in Koira sector, but in reality size iron ore is transported and in the hush-hush operations, taxes to the tune of crores of rupees are evaded. The scam came to the fore when four ore-laden trucks were seized a couple of weeks ago at lahunipara.
Whether the practice was continuing for years is a question now. Whether it is in the knowledge of the authorities and whether there is a nexus among the transporter, sponge owner, mines owner and Koira DDM officials. An independent agency is yet to unearth the truth. It may be mentioned that the seizure of the four loaded iron ore trucks by the DDM, Koira near lahunipara was made on December 20 last.
During investigation, it was revealed that the seized vehicles are two Hiways (OD-14A-4825 and OD-14B-8535) and two tippers (OR-14R-7361 and OR-14M-1785). The sizeable iron ores were transported from Rungta Sons Private ltd of San Indupur mines to Agrasen Sponge through Dadhimati Transport though the actual permission was for transporting fines.
Though the Koira DDM office is reluctant to give any information on the matter, but an employee in Koira DDM office said, on condition of anonymity, that more numbers of trucks were seized prior to December 20 at Kaleiposh Chowk. But the fact was concealed deliberately. Instead of bringing those vehicles immediately to the DDM office, they were hidden at lahunipara for three-four days. And at last for record shake, four vehicles were shown, he said.
But here the question is how the Dhatimati Transport agency lifted iron ore while the documents are for lifting of fines. Secondly how the Rungta authority allowed loading iron ore in place of fines; thirdly how the Mining department gave permission to use the fines in a sponge iron unit (Agrasen Sponge) though the fines are usually used in blast furnace sinters and lastly, how the weigh bridge allowed the vehicle to move. So in the whole drama, there is a nexus among the mining officials, sponge unit, transport agency and mines owner to evade the tax.
It is also revealed that the sponge unit and transpor company belong to one and the same master has two more sponge units like Prabhu Sponge, Jayabalaji Jyoti Sponge and one more Samaleswari Sponge. While many sponge units are shut down or on the verge of being shut down due to unavailability of raw materials, how this fellow dared to own one after another sponge units within 1-2 years which were lying defunct for last many years and what was his source of fundsIJ
Similarly, it is alleged that over last many years the corruption practices have been continuing in Regeda Railway loading side. Of course, the passive support of certain union leaders and elected people’s representatives in the matter cannot be ruled out. So to curb the illegal practices and bring the culprits to book, the matter should be investigated by an independent agency, urged social organisations of Koira and Rourkela.
