Bhubaneswar: The Orissa government today
accused the BJP and other Opposition parties of trying to
derive political mileage over the alleged mining scam in
Keonjhar district.
"It is a political allegation by BJP and some others,"
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said while replying to a
question on a BJP central team stating yesterday that it would
make the scam, involving smuggling out of iron ore and
manganese from the district, a 'national issue'.
The state vigilance was looking into different aspects
of mining irregularities and strong action would be taken
against the persons involved, Patnaik said.
Though, both the BJP and Congress have demanded a CBI
probe, the state government has rejected it by claiming that
the vigilance wing was capable of handling the investigation.
Meanwhile, BJP's five-member central team lead by
Balbir Punj visited Joda area in Keonjhar district during the
day.
The team was also scheduled to visit Barbil area
before returning here.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, November 05, 2009, 19:29