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Mining scam: five more cases registered

CUTTACK: State Vigilance Department sleuths probing into the mining scam on Saturday registered five more criminal cases against at least 11 officials, including two IFS officers and four mine owners.

The department also obtained NBWs against two more mines owners to effect arrests and initiate steps to attach their properties.

The cases against the officials were registered on allegations of showing undue official favour in allowing the mines owners to go for illegal mining from forest land causing nearly Rs. 400 crores loss to the government.

The officials against whom criminal cases were registered include the Keonjhar DFO Prakash Raj Karat, IFS, former Keonjhar DFO Bikram Singh, IFS, Joda Deputy Director of Mines M.M. Biswal, P.C. Patra and M.R. Mohanty, mining officer Routray Murmu, former Director of Mines Sashadhar Sahu, forest ranger P.C. Acharya, mining inspectors Biswanath Sahu, Mangala Hembram and A.K. Mohanta.

Cases were also initiated against the mines owners of M/s B.D. Pattnaik and Co, M/s Nandlal Rungta and Partners, M/s Mangilal Rungta and M/s Serajjuddin and Co after physical verification and inquiry by vigilance officials, said Vigilance Directorate press release issued here on Saturday.

While cases against the officials were registered on allegations of showing undue favour, charges of receiving pecuniary benefits, allowing mines owners to operate beyond surface right areas and manipulating books of accounts were also levelled against them.

While illegal mining by M/s B.D. Pattnaik and Co caused a loss to the tune of Rs. 42,55,88,760 to the government, M/s Nandlal Rungta and Partners of Mangilal Rungta, Silijoda, caused a loss to the tune of Rs. 57,61,22,500 to the State exchequer.

M/s Rungta Mines Pvt Ltd. too caused a loss to the tune of Rs. 83,70,64,555 to the State government by way of allowing pecuniary advantage to the officials.

Similarly, M/s Serajjuddin and Co caused a loss of Rs. 10,58,28,100 to the State exchequer while the same company also caused a loss to the tune of Rs. 214,60,97,485 by illegal mining and manipulating books of accounts, the release said.

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