New Delhi: Union minister Srikant Jena, who is from Odisha, has demanded the resignation of state Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, following reports of an alleged iron ore mining scam. The Congress has alleged that Mr Patnaik allowed iron ore worth Rs 2, 50,000 crore to be illegally mined; a lot of by private firms in excess of the contracted amount. Mr Patnaik's party, Biju Janata Dal, denied the allegations, attributing it to Mr Jena's "feeble attempts to stay in the limelight".
The state is reported to have asked several of the private firms, including the Tatas, Essel and those linked to Jindal Steel, to pay penalties totalling to Rs 50,000 crore for excess mining. The state-owned mining corporation too has to pay a fine. This demand for a fine is likely to be challenged in court. A commission of inquiry headed by Justice MB Shah is looking into the allegations of illegal mining.
"The Odisha scam is much bigger than the Goa or Karnataka (iron ore mining) scam," he said. He also blamed the media for "not being concerned with eastern India," adding, "the biggest scams are taking place there".
"It is a figment of Mr Jena's rather fertile imagination. Mr Jena must understand that he has to await the decision of Justice Shah Commission before jumping to conclusions. The matter is also pending in the Orissa High Court," Mr Mishra said.
The state is reported to have asked several of the private firms, including the Tatas, Essel and those linked to Jindal Steel, to pay penalties totalling to Rs 50,000 crore for excess mining. The state-owned mining corporation too has to pay a fine. This demand for a fine is likely to be challenged in court. A commission of inquiry headed by Justice MB Shah is looking into the allegations of illegal mining.
"The Odisha scam is much bigger than the Goa or Karnataka (iron ore mining) scam," he said. He also blamed the media for "not being concerned with eastern India," adding, "the biggest scams are taking place there".
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"It is a figment of Mr Jena's rather fertile imagination. Mr Jena must understand that he has to await the decision of Justice Shah Commission before jumping to conclusions. The matter is also pending in the Orissa High Court," Mr Mishra said.
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