Jajpur: An alleged move to shift 25,000 MT of iron ore lying dumped at Haridashpur under Dharmasala block in this district by an industrial firm in Kalinganagar has kicked up a row Wednesday.
Notably, the iron ores worth several crores of rupees were dumped at Haridashpur after the MB Shah Commission raided the mines in the state on charge of violation of mining norms seven years back.
However, the move by the company was frustrated when locals rushed to the spot and opposed lifting of the iron ores elsewhere. They noticed that the dumped iron ores are being transported in 10-12 trucks.
It was revealed during questioning that Yazdani Company, an industrial firm in Kalinganagar, was transporting the minerals after receiving a clean chit from the state vigilance department and permission from the deputy director, mines in Jajpur Road.
However, what surprised the people that how the iron ores which were concealed at Haridashpur to escape getting caught by the Shah Commission could get a clean chit from the state vigilance department. It was alleged that the shifting of the iron ores is a planned conspiracy to cover up rich and influential persons involved in the irregularities.
There have been instances in the past when iron ores were smuggled in trains from Jakhapura and Manpur railway sidings in past and outside of the country from Joda via Paradip port. However, after the Supreme Court appointed Shah Commission to probe the iron ore smuggling from mines, many people involved in the racket tried to conceal their stocks of iron ores worth crores of rupees at various places.
The concealing of iron ores at Haridahspur came to the fore after social activist Sarbeshwar Behura lodged a complaint before then Vigilance DG Anup Kumar Patnaik May 10, 2011. Later, iron ores worth Rs 50 crore including transportation cost were seized at Haridashpur May 11, 2011.
Five separate teams from the mines department raided transporter Kalinga Transporter, the office of the deputy director, mines, Jajpur Road, Haridaspur plot, Paradip Port, the office of the deputy director of mines, Joda and Yazdani company. However, the probe failed to unravel the truth as the Yazdani firm received a clean chit from the Vigilance department in 2017.
It was then alleged that some vested interest groups like the then loading and unloading contractor, railway siding officer, political leaders and mines officials are trying to suppress the irregularities
When contacted, Asit Kumar Behera, district mines officer, said the iron ores at Haridashpur have been handed over to Yazdani for sale after it received a clean chit from the Vigilance department.