Close on the heels of arrest of Reddy brothers in Karnataka, uneasiness seems to be growing among the legislators of ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Orissa over lack of action by the government against the mining mafia engaged in illegal mining and transportation of mineral in Keonjhar district, the hub of mining activities in the state.
Four MLAs of BJD have sought the intervention of the state Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, urging him to initiate stringent action against this mafia group.
The MLAs, who have written to the Chief Minister include Raghuram Padal (Koraput), Ananta Das (Bhograi), Ramakanta Seth (Loisingha) and Rajendra Dholkia (Khariar).
These MLAs alleged that Sanatan Mahakud, a defeated candidate in the last assembly election and his supporters are carrying on illegal mining through a network of goons in Joda and Bamebari area whom they are even paying monthly remuneration.
Using their muscle power and in association with a South India based businessman, they have forcibly taken over the operation of most of the iron ore mines in Keonjhar district and closed down some mines in the Joda circle who have refused to give in their dictat.
The BJD MLAs accused some Opposition Congress leaders with interest in mining of facilitating the mining scam in the state.
The letter warned that the activities of Mahakud and his supporters will have serious repercussions in the area including creation of unemployment which will hamper the livelihood of tribals who are dependent on the mining sector.
It may be noted, two Congress MLAs- Nihar Ranjan Mahananda (Attabira) and Jogesh Kumar Singh (Sundergarh) had written to the Chief Minister recently, alleging that the mining mafia in Keonjhar led by Mahakud in collusion with raising contractor Triveni Earth Movers has taken control of more than 10 mines, selling over 10 million tonne of ore per annum.
In their letter to the Chief Minister, the two MLAs held that selling of ore by illegal methods has led to a loss of more than Rs 200 crore per annum for the past five years to the state exchequer.
The two MLAs also alleged that Mahakud and his supporters have stopped the operations of public sector mines like Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) and Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC).
The mining mafia in the past two years has disrupted the public hearings of more than 10 mines including that of SAIL in their effort to take over the mines.
They urged the Chief Minister to initiate criminal proceedings against Sanatana Mahakud and Triveni Earth Movers, stating that action against the two will go a long way in curbing illegal mining in the state.
It may be noted that in May, the suspended BJD MLA Debasis Nayak had brought to fore allegations pertaining to the unholy alliance between mining contractors and political personalities in Keonjhar and Sundergarh districts.
In a letter to the state Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on May 19 this year, Nayak had alleged that Triveni Earth Movers Ltd in collusion with Sanatana Mahakuda is leading the mining mafia in Keonjhar and Sundergarh districts.
