Click to play videoBhubaneswar: Over the last nine years, hundreds of people in the mineral belt in Orissa's Keonjhar district have suddenly turned crorepatis(millionaires).
Much of this money possibly comes from illegal mining. Sources say these minerals are transported through Jharkahand and Bihar to Nepal and from there on to China and Bangladesh.
The opposition BJP is pointing fingers at Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik
BJP Leader Chandan Mitra said, "All roads to this scam leads to Naveen Niwas. It’s been done under the patronage of Naveen Patnaik and his henchmen."
A petition filed by a local NGO in the Supreme Court says every year mineral resources worth Rs 7,000 are openly looted.
Last week, the court acting on this petition, ordered its Central Empowered Committee to investigate.
The Patnaik government, on its part arrested eight employees of the mining department, stopped work in 69 mines and suspended trading licenses of 500 operators.
Meanwhile, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, "The vigilance department is on the job to find out more on this illegal mining and we will take serious action on those involved."
However, there is the obvious feeling that the big fish are still at large.
Everyone knows a scam of this magnitude cannot happen without support inside the government.
Chief Minister Patnaik is likely to face a tough time when the Assembly convenes next week.
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