Odisha Janaadhikar Parishad demands CBI probe in mining scam in Odisha

--decides to stage dharna in front of Parliament

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Janaadhikar Parishad (OJP), a social organisation, on Saturday urged the Central Government to order CBI probe into the mining scam in Odisha considering the recommendations given by the Shah Commission.

Addressing the reporters at a State-level convention organised by the parishad here, OJP president Bijay Kumar Parida said the State failed to check the massive loot of mines and minerals for eight consecutive years starting from 2003 to 2011. Due to illegal mining, the State lost heavy amount of revenue and forest lands that protect environment, he added.   

Parida said the State Vigilance department could not probe such a big scam, so that the Centre has to take initiative to probe the scam. The CBI probe could not be held in the State due to lack of mass movement, opposition’s suspected role and secret understanding between the State and the Centre, he added. 

The Shah Commission report had already been tabled in the Parliament, but the CBI probe demand could not gather steam due to weak Opposition in the Lok Sabha. 

“We can’t wait for the Central Government’s stand in this issue anymore. We will stage protest dharna in front of the Parliament demanding CBI probe into the mining scam in the State,” said Parida.    

    

Among others, intellectuals like former DGP AB Tripathy, trade union leader Ajay Rout, journalist Pradyumna Satpathy, Keonjhar Nagarika Samaj president Kiran Sahu, journalist Rabi Rath, youth leaders like Dillip Mallick and Amiya Pandav were present.