Govt admits leakage in mines revenue, opp seeks CBI probe

Orissa government on Friday admitted leakage in revenue collection from mining activities as the Opposition demanded a probe either by CBI or an assembly committee into "illegal" mine trading in the state.

The issue relating to loss of revenue due to illegal transportation and mining activities was raised by Opposition in the assembly through an adjournment motion.

"While the state loses Rs 2,000 crore per annum due to duplicate transit permits/passes (TP), iron ore worth Rs 40,000 crore was being smuggled out of the state every year," claimed Congress Chief Whip Prasad Harichandan while initiating the debate.

Harichandan charged that officials engaged in checking fraud in transportation of minerals were not using official TPs which could fetch revenue for the state.

"Original TPs were deliberately not used for last five years. Rules framed for transportation of minerals were also deliberately violated to benefit mines owners," he said.

While admitting leakage in the system, Steel and Mines Minister Raghunath Mohanty assured the Assembly that steps were being taken for checking tax evasion. "We will soon computerise the system," he said.

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