Shah Commission impact: Odisha govt suspends mining officer

Odisha government today suspended a deputy director of mines (DDM) rank officer who was found allegedly indulging in activities beyond the purview of his power.
"The government has suspended DDM, Joda Ballav Charan Nayak, on the charge of indulging in activities beyond his power," Steel and Mines Minister R K Singh told reporters.
The Minister, however, refused to give details about the charge against Nayak. "I do not have details about the incident. But I have been informed that DDM Joda has been suspended," he said.
Sources, however, said the state government's action came in wake of the Justice M B Shah Commission finding certain faults allegedly committed by Joda in mineral-rich Keonjhar district.

The officer had been accused of allowing a steel company to lift iron ore without the permission of the state government. The steel firm was earlier accused of exporting iron ore to foreign countries after procuring them from Joda mining circle in the name of captive use, sources said.