Congress demands white paper on Rowghat mines deal

Raipur, Apr 5 (UNI) Opposition Congress in Chhattisgarh today urged the state government to issue a white paper on de-reservation of iron ore mines at Rowghat and its allottment to private companies.

Congress Legislature Party Deputy Leader Bhupesh Baghel told UNI that a white paper must be issued as both the state government and the Bhilai Steel Plant were making contradictory claims regarding de-reservation of Rowdongri block, which falls under Rowghat mines, and its allottment to a private company.

Pointing out that his party has been demanding a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the matter, Mr Baghel also demanded to make public the minutes of meeting held at the union ministry of mines in August 2003, regarding de-reservation of iron ore block.

Mr Baghel, who had also raised this issue during the recent budget session of the Vidhan Sabha, said details about as to who had presided over the August 2003 meeting and the discussion therein should also be made public.

Pointing out that the Rowghat mines were reserved for Steel Authority of India (SAIL) way back in 1961 through a government notification, he said it was intriguing how the BSP and SAIL authorities gave their consent for de-reservation of mines for the private sector.

Demanding that the minutes of the ministry of mines meetings, held in April and July 2003, regarding de-reservation of mines should be made public, Mr Baghel said it would help expose all those who showed undue haste in allottment of mines to the private sector.

UNI AS/JJ SP MSJ DS1319