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Odisha
Bhubaneswar: In a significant development, chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday ordered a vigilance probe into the alleged illegal mining in Uliburu area of Keonjhar district.
Sources said, after getting report from the Keonjhar district administration confirming that B K Mohanty Mines went beyond the lease area to excavate iron ore, revenue minister S N Patro recommended for a state vigilance inquiry into the matter.
In the Uliburu area, B K Mohanty Mines allegedly excavated illegally in 35 hectares of which 6 hectare falls in reserve forest. The remaining 29 hectares are owned by the revenue department. The company is also accused of illegally raising and exporting iron ore worth Rs 1,800 crore up to 2009.
Earlier in the day, Patro said that strict action would be taken against those who were responsible for the loot of mineral resources.
The state mines department and forest department have already lodged separate cases against both B K Mohanty Mines and Deepak Gupta, respectively.
Notably, Mohanty had transferred the ownership of the lease to one, Deepak Gupta, the managing director of Deepak Steel and Power, via power of attorney.
