CBI starts probe into Orissa mining deals

 Sources said, an officer of CBI, who visited the office of the director of mines, wanted to know why RP has been granted to only one company when the Centre had approved the application of 13 companies for the job.

 The 13 companies whose names had been cleared by the Centre for grant of RP on the recommendation of the state government included De Beers, BHP, Ace Rio Tinto, Cluff Resources, Felsdoze and AMIL Mining.

 They were supposed to hold reconnaissance surveys for gemstone, base metal and platinum group of metals in Nuapara area in the western part of Orissa.

 Of these only AMIL Mining has been granted the RP as on date with the rest still awaiting the nod of the state government.

 With the issue of grant of mining lease in Orissa figuring prominently in the Judeo video tape, the opposition has started smelling rat in all the mining deals of the government.

 Apart from the grant of RP for gemstone and base metal, other mining deals, which are shrouded in controversy, included an integrated iron ore mining, transportation and export project of Rio Tinto in joint venture with Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC) in Gandhamardhan and Malantoli area which is hanging fire since mid 90s, the Tangarpada chrome ore mining lease issue which is now under the investigation of the assembly committee following allegation of favouring Jindal Strips.

 Besides, the government has also come in for criticism for earmarking iron ore mines for Bhusan Steel in Keonjhar district overlooking the claims of six other companies.

 Meanwhile, chief minister Naveen Patnaik refuted all allegation of misdeed in grant of mining lease in Orissa.

 Welcoming any probe in this regard, Patnaik said,