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Coal scam: advocate seeks CBI probe

CUTTACK: While the multi-crore subsidised linkage coal scam is rocking the State Assembly for last two days where the opposition MLAs are demanding resignation of two tainted ministers, an advocate of the High Court here on Thursday filed a PIL in the court seeking a direction for a CBI enquiry into it.

Advocate Nisikanta Mishra of the city has filed the PIL implicating at least seven persons as opposite parties, including the director of the State vigilance which is now investigating into the case.

The vigilance sleuths have earlier unearthed the scam registering at least 10 criminal cases, including against an IAS officer Srikant Prusty. Two officials of Orissa Small Industries Corporation (OSIC) have also been arrested in this scam.

State Urban Development Minister Badri Narayan Patra and School and Mass Education minister Pratap Jena who were on different occasions headed the OSIC are alleged to have perpetrated the corruption as the irregularities were detected when these political leaders were the President of the Corporation.

Mishra in his petition has contended that while the economy of the State is in very poor state, a handful of politicians in connivance with bureaucrats and businessmen are looting the mineral resources of the State.

“For the interest of general public, this PIL is filed seeking indulgence of the High Court for unravelling the scam and expose the persons who have been benefited at the cost of State's economy”, the petition said adding that for the interest of justice, the scam should be investigated by an independent agency such as CBI.

The PIL has not been admitted and it is hoped that the matter is likely to come up next week, said the petitioner.

House proceedings stalled

BHUBANESWAR: The proceedings of the State Assembly were stalled by the Opposition for the second day on Thursday over the coal scam in which several politicians and government employees were allegedly involved.

The House was adjourned time and again as the Opposition legislators stormed into the well of the House demanding sacking of two Ministers who were allegedly involved in the multi-crore scam.

Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat adjourned the House for the day as pandemonium prevailed even in the afternoon session.

Meanwhile, on his return from New Delhi Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that he would make a statement on the issue in the Assembly on Friday.

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