Ranchi, Dec. 5: Union steel minister Vir Bhadra Singh today confirmed that steps have been taken against former chief minister Madhu Koda at the Centre’s direction.

He said that the Centre swung into action after different intelligence agencies submitted confidential reports against Koda. He, however, remained evasive on the delayed intelligence reports and why they swung into action only after the poll programmes were announced. The Congress only gave outside support to the Koda government to avoid early elections, he said, and the Congress could provide a stable government.

“What Jharkhand could not achieve in nine years since inception, has been done in 90 days of President’s rule. Everywhere there is a tremendous support wave in the Congress’ favour,” he added.

On another issue, he said that the Centre had approved the state’s recommendation on awarding mining leases without too many amendments. He said the reported acts of omission and commission in the mines and geology department during the Arjun Munda regime, too, would be probed.