Bhubaneswar: The BJP on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court decision to reject the application of the mine owners in the illegal mining case and lashed out at the State Government alleging that it had a nexus with the mining mafia.
Party spokesperson Pitambar Acharya said the eighteen-year old Naveen Patnaik Government has been looting the people of the State. From the mining scam to chit fund scam, the common people have become victims of loot in every sphere. Though the Supreme Court in the first week of August had directed the companies to pay penalties by December 31 for illegal mining, the State Government not taking any steps is highly unfortunate, Acharya said.
He said the State Government had issued notice to the mining leaseholders to collect penalties of Rs 59,000 crore under the MMDR Act 21 (5). But later, the Government limited it to Rs 17,000 crore to show favour to the mining mafia.
The State Government has not collected a single rupee from the mine owners despite the apex court’s orders. From this, it is clear that as the ruling BJD has been contesting elections with the money of the mining mafia and its Government is shielding them, Acharya alleged.
The BJP demanded that the Government collect 100-per cent penalties from the guilty mine owners and take stringent action against them.
Comments are closed.