SHAH COMMISSION ARRIVED ODISHA

SHAH COMMISION ARRIVED IN ODISHA 8/12/2011

ODISHA UPDATE:-

The eight-member Shah Commission headed by Justice MB Shah arrived in the city Bhubaneswar here on Wednesday evening on a week-long mission to probe into the alleged mining scam and related issues of violation of laws in mining operation and illegal export of minerals.

The Commission arrived here after completing inquiry into the mining scams in Goa.

The members of the panel who made a night halt at the Raj Bhawan, would move to Keonjhar on Thursday and hold discussions with the collectors of Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts, DFOs, mining officers, members of NGOs and other officials.

The Commission will make field visits on December 9 and 10 to Joda, Barbil and Koida.

On December 11, the panel will have a public hearing at Keonjhar.

After returning to Bhubaneswar, the Commission will meet the chief secretary along with top officials, including forest officials, on December 12.

Later in the day, the Commission will meet the NGOs, stakeholders and others in the afternoon at a public hearing to collect information relating to the mining scam and other related irregularities and illegalities.

It may be mentioned that the Commission was set up by the ministry of mines on November 22, 2010 to probe into alleged mining scam and large-scale mining of iron ore and manganese ore without valid authority and to submit a comprehensive report on the issues in question and also to make recommendations to check corruption and illegalities.

The terms of reference of the Commission include inquiry into the nature and extent of illegal mining, trade and export and transportation of iron and manganese ore and the losses incurred to the exchequer.

The Commission has also been advised to identify the individuals and agencies involved in mining activities by violating mining and forest laws.

Meanwhile, the Commission has also submitted an interim report to the Union Mining Ministry on the issue of illegal mining.

However, the opposition Congress and BJP had demanded CBI inquiry into the multi-crore mining scam which is continuing unabated with the involvement of the Odisha government.

This had prompted the Centre to direct the MB Shah Commission to inquire into the entire gamut of issues.

SIDDHARTHA SHANKAR MISHRA
BUREAU CHIEF, THESE DAYS
ODISHA.