Pradesh Congress Committee president Jayadev Jena on Monday alleged that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is involved in the mega Uliburu mining scam in Keonjhar district and demanded a CBI probe into it.
He also demanded no renewal of illegal mines and that the Government stress on collection of penalty of Rs 70,000 crore from the tainted mine owners.
Addressing a Press conference here, Jena said the Chief Minister is responsible for the BK Mohanty mine scam at Uliburu as the alleged illegal mining took place in forestland when the Chief Minister was in charge of the Forest portfolio.
Besides, the BJD Government, he said, is involved in multiple scams from midday meal scam to chit fund scam, but CM Patnaik has not recommended CBI probe into any scam so far.
Jena asked why the Chief Minister is not taking any action against the Government officers involved in the mining in the forest area. It was during the period when CM Patnaik was in charge of the Forest Department that mining took place in maximum forest lands.
When the Chief Minister himself is involved in the scam, how can the State Vigilance department investigate the matter impartiallyIJ Jena asked.
He challenged CM Patnaik to recommend CBI probe to it if wants to prove his non-involvement in the scam.