Cong demands CBI probe into iron ore, coal block deals in C'garh

Raipur, Aug 9 (UNI) The main Opposition Congress in Chhattisgarh today demanded a CBI inquiry into allocation of iron ore and coal blocks to private entrepreneurs, alleging that systematic efforts were being made to plunder the state's natural resources.

''The state government was in such a hurry that it had even recommended to the Centre to allocate a coal block, located in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, to a private company,'' Congress Legislature Party Deputy Leader Bhupesh Baghel told newspersons.

He pointed out that M/s Pushp Steel and Mining Company, which came into existence just two years ago, had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the state government to set up a steel plant at an estimated cost of Rs 380 crore.

Even before the company started its work on the ground, the state government made a recommendation to the Centre to allocate iron ore and coal block to this particular company.

In the process, the Chhattisgarh Government made a mistake by recommending to the Centre to allocate the Bhrampuri coal block, situated in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, he alleged, adding that the matter came to light after Madhya Pradesh Government registered strong protest over such recommendation.

Similarly, Mr Baghel said the government had also recommended allocation of iron ore mines, spread over in an area of 1,000 hectares, in Kanker district to the same company.

He questioned the role of Chief Secretary Shivraj Singh and other officers in recommending allocation of mines to those companies, which did not showed any interest so far to set up their projects within the state.

Pointing out that similar was the situation of many other newly-formed companies, which had signed MOUs with the government, he said a high-level inquiry was necessary to unearth attempts to plunder the state's natural resources.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Raman Singh denied the charges saying that the matter had already been discussed on the floor of the Vidhan Sabha where the government had categorically stated that mining lease would be given only to those companies, which had established their projects in the state.

''We have not allotted any mines. It's only a recommendation.

Permission for mining would be given only after the state government is satisfied with the progress of their projects concerned,'' he told newspersons, when asked to comment on the Congress charges.

Mr Singh said his government had maintained total transparency in all matters, including allocation of mines.

UNI