Utkal Bharat president Kharabela Swain on Wednesday urged the Odisha High Court to direct for a CBI inquiry into the mining scam in the State at an early date so that the looters of the national wealth can be apprehended.
Addressing a Press conference here, Swain informed that the Shah Commission report tabled in Parliament recently has recommended for a CBI investigation into illegal mining in Joda Mining Circle. While the report indicates involvement of mighty lessees, big traders, political persons and the highest rank Government officers in it, the Chief Minister has disappointingly rejected the Commission’s proposal of CBI probe. Hence, nobody has been punished for such a widespread corruption between 2008 and 2011, he lamented.
Stating that the Central Vigilance Commission has permitted for a CBI inquiry into the case of freight evasion in the transportation of mining ores by 14 companies, Swain wanted to know why the State Government is reluctant to recommend for such a probe.
He further informed that six public interest litigations were filed in the High Court demanding CBI probe in the matter and their hearings have already been completed. But the ruling has not been delivered. “The High Court should direct a CBI inquiry at an early date so that the looters of the national wealth can be apprehended,” he requested He suggested that nobody should be given mining lease only for the purpose of export of ores.