Shah Commission to visit Odisha from October 3

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the week-long Odisha visit of the Justice M B Shah Commission, beginning from October 3, to probe the mining scam in different parts of the country, the state government today said it was ready with documents for verification by the six-member team.

"Odisha Government has no hesitation to produce records as sought by the commission. Diferent departments have been asked to keep their files and records ready for the purpose," Chief Secretary B K Patnaik told reporters.

The central government appointed commission which had been probing into mining scam in different states, had visited the state in December last year. It's next visit is scheduled from October 3.

Before begining its tour, the commission had asked the state government to arrange records of about 145 cases involving departments like forest and environment, mines, revenue, commerce, commercial tax, IBM, regional office of the MoEF and Odisha State Pollution Control Board.

Besides, the commission has also informed the state government through letters to ensure that officials of Odisha Mining Corporation, Orissa Mineral Development Corporation and some private mining leasees meet the team members.

Apart from verifying documents as required for investigation, the team was likely to make some spot visits.

"We hope that the team could visit Koida mining circle and some other iron ore and manganese mines in the state," steel and mines minister R K Singh said.

The team is likely to continue its probe in the state till October 11, the sources said.