Illegal coal mining revenue going to BJD's fund: BJP

Bhubaneswar: Launching a scathing attack on the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the Bharatiya Janata Party today alleged that the ruling government is shielding the mining leaseholders, engaged in illegal mining in Odisha, for vested interests.

Addressing a presser at the party headquarters here on Wednesday, BJP’s state general secretary Lekhashri Samantasinghar said the revenue incurring through illegal coal mining in the state is being shared by the government and the mining leaseholders in a 60:40 ratio.

"Illegal mining in the state is growing under the supervision of the third floor.  Even the mining minister is acting as the representative of the companies that are vehemently flouting the mining norms and even the Supreme Court's order to pay fine," said  Lekhashri.

At the behest of the Naveen government, the mining leaseholders are illegally amassing crores. Looting the state through such unholy nexus is unfortunate, she added.

"The state government has approached the court against all the mining leaseholder who have flouted the laid norms. The government is not sympathetic towards the culprits. The order of the apex court must be obeyed," said BJD spokesperson Amar Sathpathy.

Earlier this month, the State Mines department had issued notice to seven mine leaseholders to stop operations as they failed to pay fine by December 31 deadline fixed by the SC.