VIJAY DEO JHA
Ranchi, May 14: The Enforcement Directorate has summoned mining officers of three districts to record their statements before the agency on May 16 regarding the money laundering probe against IAS Pooja Singhal whom the ED is questioning in the police remand.
The Enforcement Directorate has summoned the district mining officer of three districts namely Sahibganj headed by Bibhuti Kumar, Krishnachandra Kisku of Dumka and Anand Kumar of Palamu. Department sources said that the district mining officer of Dumka has been asked to turn-up for questioning on May 16.
Sources have said that in the next phase the district mining officers of some other districts will be called for questioning. The mining officials of these three districts are likely to be examined regarding allegations of alleged irregularities in awarding mining leases and allowing the illegal mining.
“All of them have been summoned for an appearance on the same day and they may be questioned separately. But it can’t be said in what capacity they have been called as a witness or to verify any documents or something else,” said the sources.
The indication is quite clear that the money probe against Pooja Singhal is now slowly moving to the mining department which she officiated as secretary till a couple of days back when she was suspended following her arrest under the money laundering probe.
She also held the post of managing director of the Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation (JSMDC) which is under the scanner for illegality and nepotism involved in awarding mining leases to various individuals and companies.
The opposition has been vocal about the illegal mining and alleged that the loot of the mines and minerals has been taking place in the full knowledge of the government. The BJP-led opposition further alleged Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his family for patronizing illegal mining. The stone mining in Sahibganj has landed in the thick of controversy. The BJP alleged a powerful lobby having closeness with the Hemant Soren government. The recent cargo ship accident in March in the river Ganga gave ammo to the opposition to accuse the government of allegedly patronizing illegal mining and their transportation via Bihar.
The mining officer of Sahibganj earlier denied that he ever got any summons. He is posted in Sahibganj for the last three years. He is likely to be asked about who’s who of the leasees those who got mining leases in the last couple of years. There are allegations of proxy mining and investment in the stone mining and crusher units involving government employees. Further, there is an allegation of the arbitrary withdrawal of consent to operate stone crusher units to favour a selected few. In Dumka and Palamu there are allegations of illegal mining of stone and sands.
