The Odisha Janaadhikar Parishad, a civil society forum working on mining issues in the State, submitted a memorandum to Union Minister for Steel and Mines Narendra Singh Tomar, demanding CBI inquiry into irregularities in mining operation in Odisha following a recommendation of the Justice Shah Commission.
The Minister after hearing details of the mining scam of the State assured the forum to look into the matter and ensure CBI inquiry after consulting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A five-member delegation consisting of forum president Bijay Parida and members like noted human rights activists Pradip Pradhan, Jyoti Ranjan Mohapatra and Arun Jena, also submitted a memorandum to Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram, Union Home Minister Rajanath Singh, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan and urged them to appraise the Prime Minster about the immediate need for CBI inquiry as per Shah Commission’s recommendation in the greater interest of the tribals of Odisha.
The team also met and appraised leaders of different political parties like Sharad Yadav (JD), D Raja (CPI) and MD Selim (CPM) and urged them to press for the CBI probe in the Parliament.