With chief minister Akhilesh Yadav reportedly summoned the file in connection with the on-going probe against mining minister, Gyatri Prajapati and action is contemplated sometime later this week, lokayukta Justice (retd), NK Mehrotra, who is making investigation in the matter, had further tightened nose around the minister. The state ombudsman is likely to send his recommendation against Prajapati to chief minister sometime within next fortnight.
Sources confirmed that to wind up the matter regarding probe against mining minister Gyatri Prajapati, and his aides, Mehrotra had sent notices to district police chief of lucknow and Amethi, directing them to serve the notices against the suspected members of the RsSyndicate’ working at behest of the minister and in whose name’s, Prajapati alleged to have diverted his illegal wealth.
Sources said that besides serving notices to some politicians, journalists, and other senior officials who were running a Rssyndicate’ of illegal mining in Sonebhadra, Mehrotra also served notices to Prajapati’s alleged aides, Ram Sahai, Pintu Yadav, Vikas Verma, Jitendra Prajapati, Gudda etc asking them to either appear before him on coming Thursday and Friday, or submit reply on the allegations leveled against them within the above time before he would proceed with further legal action.
Sources said that the Income Tax Department confirmed that Ram Sahai, had not submitted his return for the last two years. However, Mehrotra got evidences that Ram Sahai had purchased over half a dozen properties investing over Rs 75 lakh. Mehrotra asked Sahai to reply from where the above money came.
Sources further said that the IT officials also informed that the above mining syndicate also mentioned wrong information about the sale of loaded minerals. The Department confirmed that as per the standard rate, one cubic meter of mineral cost Rs 75 thus a truck loaded with 24 cubic mineral costs Rs 1800. IT Department said that the syndicate showed Rs 270 per truck as sales tax, 40 Rs as other tax, and Rs 1500 as labour charges all costing (including mineral cost) Rs 3610 per truck. However, as per the PWD rate list, per truck was sold at Rs 15000 thus the syndicate concealed the earning of Rs 11390 per truck by showings sale at a price which is less then PWD prescribed rates. Thus Rs 11390 per truck goes in the pocket of syndicate in form of RsVIP’ (illegal extortion), officials confirmed.