Coal news and updates

Vigilance team to probe illegal coal mining

The vigilance bureau of Jharkhand is confident of a fair inquiry into the illegal coal mining scam that has plagued the state's exchequer over the years. A seven-member police team under deputy superintendent of police B Tirkey was formed by chief minister Hemant Soren to inquire into the unlawful activities in the coal belts of the state. On Saturday, Soren handed over the charge of investigation to the bureau after an FIR was lodged with the state vigilance police station.

ADG Vigilance Neeraj Sinha said the team would probe into the matter objectively and lodge FIRs against the guilty irrespective of their stature. "Once the FIRs are lodged we will take actions against those involved in the scam. A thorough investigation will be done on the role of each and every accused," he said.

Questions have been raised by various political leaders on the government's efforts to hush up the matter as names of some of the senior police officers of the rank of SP and politicians have also surfaced in coal mining scam.

CPI state general secretary and former MP Bhuneshwar Prasad Mehta said in Jharkhand the roots of coal smuggling racket are deep-rooted and top-notch government officials and police officers are also involved in it. Raising questions on handing over of the matter to state vigilance department he expressed doubt if the matter would be thoroughly investigated. "How can a department of state government investigate into the role of ruling party members and officers senior to them," he argued.

Expressing similar views, BJP leader Saryu Rai called for an immediate CBI probe so that the involvement of officers and politicians is revealed. "The government has ordered a vigilance inquiry in Hazaribag whereas similar illegal mining and smuggling of coal is rampant in all coal-bearing areas," he said.

The ADG, however, said the official order for vigilance probe is not restricted to Hazaribag alone. "We are going to look into other districts as well and in course of inquiry more districts are likely to come under the ambit of the vigilance bureau," he said.

Meanwhile, Bermo SDM Rahul Kumar confiscated 1000 tonne of illegal coal and a report was sent to Bokaro DC. "We have instituted an FIR with the Bokaro Thermal police station and are waiting for the police to investigate into the matter," Kumar said.

which designated DSP level officer B Tirkey to inquire into the alleged illegal coal mining and smuggling, rampant in the state is confident about reaching a logical conclusion tothe matter and institute FIRs against people irrespective of the their place and position soon. The decision to hand over the investigation to vigilance bureau was taken by Chief minister Hemant Soren on Friday and was finally taken up by the bureauon Saturday after an FIR was lodged with the state vigilance police station.

Source: The Times of India