Cong alleges Rs. 20,000 cr scam against Odisha CM

Union minister Srikant Jena alleged that the Patnaik government turned a blind eye for years to excess mining of chromite, flouting all rules, by companies associated with BJD leaders.

Weeks before Odisha goes to Lok Sabha and assembly polls, the Congress on Thursday leveled a fresh allegation of a mining scam against the Naveen Patnaik government.

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Union minister Srikant Jena alleged that the Patnaik government turned a blind eye for years to excess mining of chromite, flouting all rules, by companies associated with BJD leaders.

Citing a recent case filed by a sub-divisional magistrate of Jajpur against three officials of Balasore Alloys Ltd, the Congress claimed the illegal mining has cost the state exchequer a loss of at least Rs. 20,000 crore.

“The mega loot could not have happened unimpeded for 10 years if not for the patronage and direct supervision of Naveen Patnaik. Otherwise, how could thousands of trucks, every night carry illegally mined ores to Kendrapara and then onto Paradip port,” questioned Jena.