The State Government has suspended Deputy Director of Mines (DDM), Joda, Ballav Kumar Nayak for negligence of duty. local Mining Officer SK Rout has been directed to remain in charge of DDM till further orders.
According to sources, Rashmi Metaliks was detected to have evaded railway freight of about Rs 600 crore three years back and the matter was under CBI investigation. The Mines Department had suspended the trading licence of the company then. The company later moved the High Court against the suspension of the trading licence and the court issued orders last month for restoration of licence as per law by the appropriate authority within two weeks.
Nayak sought clarification and opinion from the Director of Mines regarding the court order but received no answer from the higher authorities. Finally after reviewing the matter at his level, the DDM restored the licence as per law after obtaining an affidavit and imposing fine on the company.
But the Mines Department treated the act of the DDM as negligence of duty and suspended him. The order to keep Mining Officer Rout in charge of DDM has raised eyebrows since a departmental
proceeding is still pending against him too.