Bhubaneswar, Nov. 26: The multi-crore mining scam and coal block allocation to private companies are likely to dominate the proceedings of the Odisha Assembly during its winter session that begins tomorrow.
While the Opposition parties are set to train their guns against the Naveen Patnaik government on these issues, the BJD has decided to launch a counter attack highlighting scams during the UPA regime, Odisha’s neglect by the Centre and rise in the prices of essential commodities.
“The Opposition will be focusing on the mining scam during the session,” leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh told The Telegraph.
“The state government has virtually admitted the mining scam by imposing a fine of Rs 70,000 crore on various private mining companies for raising ore beyond the lease area and permissible quantity. Several irregularities have also come to the fore during Shah Commission’s recent visit to the state,” said Singh.
“The government also stands exposed on the joint venture deal with Sainik Mining company and has been forced to cancel the deal,” he said.
The issue has been a controversial one ever since the joint venture came into existence in 2003 with Sainik Mining having a share of 74 per cent, which made it the dominant partner even though the deal was struck to mine the coal block allotted to the state-run Odisha Mining Corporation.
The issue had also been taken note of by Parliament’s public accounts committee, which visited the state recently. Congress, the main Opposition party, has decided to demand the resignation of chief minister Naveen Patnaik on this issue as well as the failure of the government on various other fronts. “Naveen has sacked several ministers on corruption and other charges. Now, he should take responsibility and step down himself,” said Congress chief whip Prasad Harichandan.
Opposition BJP will also target the government on the mining scam and coal block allocation scam, said party leader K.V. Singhdeo. “The government has shown undue favour to several private companies,” he said.
The Congress legislators, who met this evening to chalk out their strategy, decided to raise current issues such as neglect of farmers, deteriorating law and order, growing Maoist menace and the mysterious death of an ayurvedic doctor in Puri.
On the other hand, the BJD decided to face the Opposition onslaught confidently. “We are ready to face debate over any issue,” said Naveen after presiding over a meeting of party legislators. Senior BJD leader and parliamentary affairs minister Kalpataru Das said the treasury bench would move motions for discussion on the neglect of Odisha by the Centre and the rise in price of essential commodities.
“Our party legislators would also highlight the scams that have taken place during the UPA regime,” he said. Security around the legislature complex has been tightened with the deployment of 38 platoons of police in view of agitations planned by different groups during the session.
“We have put up a three-layered security to ward off any possibility of agitators entering the complex,” said a senior police officer.
