The two officers were in charge of mining administration in the Joda Circle where they initially allowed operation by Deepak Steel and Power, which prima facie indulged in illegal mining.
Besides the suspension of the officers, the Department of Steel and Mines on Saturday initiated departmental proceedings against seven officers, who were allegedly involved in this big mining scam, sources said.
It is worth mentioning that the State government has, meanwhile, taken over the BK Mohanty Mines and seized 2.73 lakh tonnes of iron ore worth around Rs 100cr. The stock seized from Deepak Steel and Power has now been handed over to the State-run Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), said the sources.
The Government on Saturday appointed Satyananda Sahoo as Deputy Director of Mines (DDM) for Joda in the existing vacancy following the suspension of the earlier incumbent Ballabh Charan Nayak in March this year.
According to the Government order, Mining Officer, Koida, in Sundargarh district, Ramesh Chandra Mahallik has been assigned the charge of DDM, Koira.
Similarly, Mining Officer, Joda, Pradeep Kumar Naik has replaced Suresh Sahoo as Mining Officer, Baripada in Mayurbhanj district, as Sahoo has been placed under suspension, said official sources.