Cong alleges mining scam in Karnal, BJP refutes charge

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, May 2

Congress MLAs Karan Singh Dalal from Palwal and Kuldeep Sharma from Ganaur today accused the BJP government of supporting illegal mining in the state.

They alleged that despite having a whopping amount of Rs 63.58 crore as outstanding dues, a mining firm continued working in Karnal district, making a mockery of the system.

The two leaders were accompanied by Sohan Lal Gupta, one of the partners of Jai Yamuna Ji Developers, Karnal unit 4, which was assigned the contract of mining on January 3, 2014, at Rs 56.65 crore per annum for eight years.

They alleged that this firm had to start work on January 3, 2015, but started it on September 1, 2015, due to delay in environment clearance.

Since, the firm had not paid the complete amount, the Mining Department had issued a notice for the recovery of Rs 54.52 crore, following which the firm approached the High Court.

After losing the case, it had approached the Supreme Court, which directed the state government to recover the amount, but mining was still going on, alleged Dalal.

“As per rules, if the recovery is not made in 60 days, the mine has to be closed, but it is still operational,” said Sharma.

“A meeting was held at the Chief Minister’s residence to sort out the issue of partners in this firm. The Chief Minister had admitted this in the Assembly in reply to a question,” Dalal said.

Sharma alleged that the mine was non-operational on paper between July 21, 2016, and August 10, 2016, but work was going on.

He said they had found several slips issued to customers during this period. He questioned issuance of slips to customers if a mine was non-operational.

They alleged while showing some documents and a CD that for smooth running of the mine, money was given for the OSD to Chief Minister Amrinder Singh and Minister for Mines and Geology Nayab Saini.

Gupta said he had given Rs 4 lakh to an officer in Panipat to start the mine. Meanwhile, the Officer on Special Duty Chief Minister Captain Amrinder Singh refuted the allegations.

He said the two MLAs and Gupta should prove the allegations, failing which he would go to court and sue them for defamation.

Saini said Gupta had come to him through one of his acquaintances to mediate on the issue of partners. He said they should prove the allegations or be ready to face a defamation case.

“It was a company dispute. They are dragging my name into it with vested interests in mind. I will serve a legal notice if they do not withdraw the allegations and apologise in seven days,” he said.

He accused the Congress leaders of cheap publicity. He said the Congress leaders did not have any issue and wanted to spoil the upcoming session.

Asked about the issue of the mine being operational even after heavy dues, he said a notice had been issued to the firm to close it.