BJP Keonjhar unit leaders and workers led by party’s State vice-president Sameer Mohanty held a demonstration in front of the DDM office at Joda on Monday demanding 100 per cent realisation of penalty from the mines owners, who were involved in illegal mining.
Notably, the Justice Shah Commission had recommended for 100 per cent penalty realisation from the errant mines owners who have looted away natural resources of the State. But the State Government, in an tacit attempt to prove its innocence, imposed a total fines of around Rs 58,000 crore on illegal miners. Mines owners went to the Supreme Court against this decision. Now, the Central Empowered Committee has reduced the penalty to 30 per cent. Accordingly, the apex court has asked Odisha Government to collect fines of Rs 17,500 crore.
“There is illegal nexus between illegal mines owners and the State Government which influenced the recommendation of the CRC to collect 30 per cent penalty instead of 100 per cent as proposed by the Justice Saha Commission. We want that 100 per cent penalty be collected and utilised for poverty eradication in Keonjhar district,” said the agitating leaders.
Among others, Krushak Moarch State president Maheswar Sahoo, district president Radhakanta Mahanta, former MlAs Mohan Majhi, Bhagirathi Sethy and Dhanurjaya Sidhu, Murali Manager Sharma, Barbail Municipality Chairman Fillip Kumar Mishra and Joda BJP president RK Singh were present.
When contacted, DDM Sushant Kumar Naik said he has nothing to say in this regard and he would only carry out the State Government’s decision.