Friday, 09 Dec 2011
PTI reported that the Centre appointed Shah Commission led by former Supreme Court judge Justice MB Shah has formally began investigation into illegal mining in Orissa.
The Commission held a discussion with the district authorities of Keonjhar and Sundergarh besides authorities of the railways, Indian Bureau of Mines and forest officials.
Collectors, superintendents of police, divisional forest officers, regional manager of the pollution control board and vigilance officer of the south eastern railways attended the meeting.
The commission members are scheduled to visit certain mines in Joda areas of Keonjhar district and Koida area in Sundergarh district, an official said.
The commission was unlikely to hold public hearing due to shortage of time.
(Sourced from PTI)
Showing posts with label investigation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label investigation. Show all posts
Friday, December 9, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Adani denies involvement
Monday, 21 Nov 2011
Adani Enterprises said that it has no iron ore mine in Karnataka or anywhere else in the country and its only interest in the mineral is rendering port services to exporters.
An Adani spokesperson said in a statement that "We hereby confirm that Adani Enterprises has no iron ore mine in Karnataka or anywhere else in the country. We do not have any interest in iron ore except rendering port services to exporters/ miners of iron ore.”
The company provides services like storage, handling of various cargo and pay warfage charges to the port authorities. The entire responsibility of approvals relating to mine permits and transportation up to Belakary Port lie with the miner and or exporter.
It added that "Adani Enterprises has rendered such services in compliance of all rules and regulations laid down by the Port and Customs authorities. We would like to reiterate that we have not indulged in any unauthorized activities.”
The company's comments follow the Supreme Court today asking its expert committee to examine alleged illegalities committed by major companies involved in mining activities in Bellary district of Karnataka and neighboring Andhra Pradesh which have been indicted in the Lokayukta report.
An NGO has sought the extension of the CBI probe to cover two companies, including Adani Enterprises, that have been strongly indicted in the Karnataka Lokayukta report for illegal mining of iron and ore.
(Sourced from profit.ndtv.com)
Adani Enterprises said that it has no iron ore mine in Karnataka or anywhere else in the country and its only interest in the mineral is rendering port services to exporters.
An Adani spokesperson said in a statement that "We hereby confirm that Adani Enterprises has no iron ore mine in Karnataka or anywhere else in the country. We do not have any interest in iron ore except rendering port services to exporters/ miners of iron ore.”
The company provides services like storage, handling of various cargo and pay warfage charges to the port authorities. The entire responsibility of approvals relating to mine permits and transportation up to Belakary Port lie with the miner and or exporter.
It added that "Adani Enterprises has rendered such services in compliance of all rules and regulations laid down by the Port and Customs authorities. We would like to reiterate that we have not indulged in any unauthorized activities.”
The company's comments follow the Supreme Court today asking its expert committee to examine alleged illegalities committed by major companies involved in mining activities in Bellary district of Karnataka and neighboring Andhra Pradesh which have been indicted in the Lokayukta report.
An NGO has sought the extension of the CBI probe to cover two companies, including Adani Enterprises, that have been strongly indicted in the Karnataka Lokayukta report for illegal mining of iron and ore.
(Sourced from profit.ndtv.com)
Friday, November 18, 2011
CBI probes Rs 780-cr iron ore transportation scam
Fri, Nov.18, 2011
An initial investigation conducted by the Railways revealed that the company caused huge revenue loss to it by making false or misleading declaration about the end use of the iron ore lifted from mining sources.
New Delhi, Nov. 16:
CBI is investigating a scam worth at least Rs 780 crore by a mining firm which allegedly defrauded the Railways in transportation of iron ore meant for commercial activities by making false declaration about its end use.
Official sources said the alleged irregularities were carried out in connivance with certain senior officials of South Eastern Railway (SER) for wrongfully transporting the goods from its Chakradharpur division which were exported through Haldia Port in West Bengal.
An initial investigation conducted by the Railways revealed that the company caused huge revenue loss to it by making false or misleading declaration about the end use of the iron ore lifted from mining sources.
It detected that certain industrial units were transporting iron ore through the Chakradharpur Division of SER declaring the material was for domestic consumption or internal use. “Actually the iron ore was being exported through Haldia Port. The investigations initially revealed a loss of revenue of about Rs 50 crore for a period of nine months in the year 2010 by a private company,” a source said without divulging the name of the company.
Later, the scope of investigations was widened to cover three years from 2008-09 to 2010-11.
“The recoverable amount worked out by the Railways in mis-declaration of goods is Rs 749.50 crore,” he said.
Officials have got evidence of similar modus operandi being opted by other companies active in mining activities in Jharkhand and Orissa and they are now being separately investigated.
The case was referred to the CBI for an in-depth probe by the Central Vigilance Commission.
“The scam is huge and there is a possibility of involvement of certain railway officials who colluded with certain mining firm owners,” the official said.
Keywords: CBI probe, iron ore transportation scam, irregularities, South Eastern Railway,
Sourced:BusinessLine
An initial investigation conducted by the Railways revealed that the company caused huge revenue loss to it by making false or misleading declaration about the end use of the iron ore lifted from mining sources.
New Delhi, Nov. 16:
CBI is investigating a scam worth at least Rs 780 crore by a mining firm which allegedly defrauded the Railways in transportation of iron ore meant for commercial activities by making false declaration about its end use.
Official sources said the alleged irregularities were carried out in connivance with certain senior officials of South Eastern Railway (SER) for wrongfully transporting the goods from its Chakradharpur division which were exported through Haldia Port in West Bengal.
An initial investigation conducted by the Railways revealed that the company caused huge revenue loss to it by making false or misleading declaration about the end use of the iron ore lifted from mining sources.
It detected that certain industrial units were transporting iron ore through the Chakradharpur Division of SER declaring the material was for domestic consumption or internal use. “Actually the iron ore was being exported through Haldia Port. The investigations initially revealed a loss of revenue of about Rs 50 crore for a period of nine months in the year 2010 by a private company,” a source said without divulging the name of the company.
Later, the scope of investigations was widened to cover three years from 2008-09 to 2010-11.
“The recoverable amount worked out by the Railways in mis-declaration of goods is Rs 749.50 crore,” he said.
Officials have got evidence of similar modus operandi being opted by other companies active in mining activities in Jharkhand and Orissa and they are now being separately investigated.
The case was referred to the CBI for an in-depth probe by the Central Vigilance Commission.
“The scam is huge and there is a possibility of involvement of certain railway officials who colluded with certain mining firm owners,” the official said.
Keywords: CBI probe, iron ore transportation scam, irregularities, South Eastern Railway,
Sourced:BusinessLine
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Coal license for union boss sparks ICAC investigation - Report
Thursday, 17 Nov 2011
It is reported that the awarding of a coal exploration license to a former union leader by the disgraced former labor minister Mr Ian Macdonald is set to be investigated by the corruption watchdog after an independent report found there was 'a circumstantial case of wrongdoing'.
The energy and resources minister Mr Chris Hartcher introduced a resolution to Parliament requiring the Independent Commission Against Corruption to investigate the circumstances surrounding the granting of the license. He told Parliament the report showed there was a clear departure from proper practice. He added that "There have been serious errors of judgment on the part of Ian Macdonald, with a cloud hanging over the dealings between him and his union mate."
In July 2011, the Department of Resources and Energy commissioned Clayton Utz to review the circumstances surrounding the awarding of the license by Mr Macdonald, who was minister for mineral resources in the former Labor government.
Mr Macdonald, who resigned from Parliament last year over an expenses scandal, awarded the license to Doyles Creek Mining, a company chaired by Mr John Maitland, a former national secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union who also had an 11% shareholding. Doyles Creek Mining was taken over by NuCoal resources last year and floated on the stock exchange for USD 100 million, eventually inflating Mr Maitland's shareholding from USD 165,000 to about USD 10 million.
The report, revealed by the Herald, found that there were other companies interested in an exploration license at Doyles Creek, in the upper Hunter. But Mr Macdonald invited Doyles Creek Mining to apply for the license, failing to put it to tender as required under departmental guidelines.
The report finds that Mr Macdonald's decision 'may well be voidable on the basis of it being in excess of jurisdiction, bad faith or manifestly unreasonable. It recommends the government establish a special commission of inquiry into the granting of the license.
The resolution, which passed the Legislative Assembly but has yet to be considered by the upper house, requires the ICAC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the application and allocation of the license and the making of profits, if any, by the shareholders of NuCoal Resources NL as proprietors of Doyles Creek Mining Pty Limited.
It asks the ICAC to advise on action the government should take and whether it should begin action against any individual or company. The government has chosen to ask Parliament to refer the case to the ICAC as it ensures that the commission must ''fully investigate'' the matter.
(sourced from www.smh.com.au)
It is reported that the awarding of a coal exploration license to a former union leader by the disgraced former labor minister Mr Ian Macdonald is set to be investigated by the corruption watchdog after an independent report found there was 'a circumstantial case of wrongdoing'.
The energy and resources minister Mr Chris Hartcher introduced a resolution to Parliament requiring the Independent Commission Against Corruption to investigate the circumstances surrounding the granting of the license. He told Parliament the report showed there was a clear departure from proper practice. He added that "There have been serious errors of judgment on the part of Ian Macdonald, with a cloud hanging over the dealings between him and his union mate."
In July 2011, the Department of Resources and Energy commissioned Clayton Utz to review the circumstances surrounding the awarding of the license by Mr Macdonald, who was minister for mineral resources in the former Labor government.
Mr Macdonald, who resigned from Parliament last year over an expenses scandal, awarded the license to Doyles Creek Mining, a company chaired by Mr John Maitland, a former national secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union who also had an 11% shareholding. Doyles Creek Mining was taken over by NuCoal resources last year and floated on the stock exchange for USD 100 million, eventually inflating Mr Maitland's shareholding from USD 165,000 to about USD 10 million.
The report, revealed by the Herald, found that there were other companies interested in an exploration license at Doyles Creek, in the upper Hunter. But Mr Macdonald invited Doyles Creek Mining to apply for the license, failing to put it to tender as required under departmental guidelines.
The report finds that Mr Macdonald's decision 'may well be voidable on the basis of it being in excess of jurisdiction, bad faith or manifestly unreasonable. It recommends the government establish a special commission of inquiry into the granting of the license.
The resolution, which passed the Legislative Assembly but has yet to be considered by the upper house, requires the ICAC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the application and allocation of the license and the making of profits, if any, by the shareholders of NuCoal Resources NL as proprietors of Doyles Creek Mining Pty Limited.
It asks the ICAC to advise on action the government should take and whether it should begin action against any individual or company. The government has chosen to ask Parliament to refer the case to the ICAC as it ensures that the commission must ''fully investigate'' the matter.
(sourced from www.smh.com.au)
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
TDP chief denies favoring Bellary Barons
Tuesday, 08 Nov 2011
Telugu Desam Party leader and former Andhra chief minister Dr N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday denied charges that he had favored Mr G Janardhan Reddy the former Karnataka minister, arrested by the CBI for illegal iron ore mining.
Mr Naidu told a gathering in Kurnool that ''I have no fear as I did no mistake. I informed the same to former chief minister YSR.”
The TDP chief accused the late YSR and his son of starting their newspaper and cement business allegedly with ill gotten funds.
According to Mr Naidu, YSR had filed 15 cases against him in the supreme court and the high court. He also set up 26 commissions of inquiry, but they failed to prove any charges against him.
Mr YS Jaganmohan Reddy the chief of the YSR Congress and son of Mr YS Rajasekhara Reddy, the former Andhra chief minister, who was killed in an air crash, had accused Mr Naidu of favoring the mining mafia in the state and had urged the CBI to probe his role in the scam.
Jaganmohan Reddy, who started his own political outfit after the Congress denied him the chief minister ship of the state after his father's death, was on Friday summoned by the CBI for questioning about his links to the mining mafia.
(sourced Domain-b.com & Equity Bulls)
Telugu Desam Party leader and former Andhra chief minister Dr N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday denied charges that he had favored Mr G Janardhan Reddy the former Karnataka minister, arrested by the CBI for illegal iron ore mining.
Mr Naidu told a gathering in Kurnool that ''I have no fear as I did no mistake. I informed the same to former chief minister YSR.”
The TDP chief accused the late YSR and his son of starting their newspaper and cement business allegedly with ill gotten funds.
According to Mr Naidu, YSR had filed 15 cases against him in the supreme court and the high court. He also set up 26 commissions of inquiry, but they failed to prove any charges against him.
Mr YS Jaganmohan Reddy the chief of the YSR Congress and son of Mr YS Rajasekhara Reddy, the former Andhra chief minister, who was killed in an air crash, had accused Mr Naidu of favoring the mining mafia in the state and had urged the CBI to probe his role in the scam.
Jaganmohan Reddy, who started his own political outfit after the Congress denied him the chief minister ship of the state after his father's death, was on Friday summoned by the CBI for questioning about his links to the mining mafia.
(sourced Domain-b.com & Equity Bulls)
Friday, November 4, 2011
BJP seeks CBI probe into Goa exports
Friday, 04 Nov 2011
BL reported that Bharatiya Janata Party president Mr Nitin Gadkari on Thursday led a delegation of the party's Goa unit leaders to President Ms Pratibha Patil and sought a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the alleged illegal mining of iron ore in Goa, which accounts for 60% of the country's iron ore exports
Mr. Gadkari said the scam causing a loss of INR 25,000 crore to the exchequer took place over the last five years.
The delegation asked the President to direct the Centre to take stringent action against the wrongdoers so as to rid the State of the mining mafia and safeguard the interests of thousands earning their income on legal mining activities.
They charged “The Congress regime and the Pradesh Congress Committee are involved in the scam.”
The BJP charged that the ruling Congress government was trying to cover up the scam.
(Sourced from BL)
BL reported that Bharatiya Janata Party president Mr Nitin Gadkari on Thursday led a delegation of the party's Goa unit leaders to President Ms Pratibha Patil and sought a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the alleged illegal mining of iron ore in Goa, which accounts for 60% of the country's iron ore exports
Mr. Gadkari said the scam causing a loss of INR 25,000 crore to the exchequer took place over the last five years.
The delegation asked the President to direct the Centre to take stringent action against the wrongdoers so as to rid the State of the mining mafia and safeguard the interests of thousands earning their income on legal mining activities.
They charged “The Congress regime and the Pradesh Congress Committee are involved in the scam.”
The BJP charged that the ruling Congress government was trying to cover up the scam.
(Sourced from BL)
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
CIL CCL stops coal linkage supply to small units
Wednesday, 02 Nov 2011
TNN reported that embarrassed over irregularities in coal supply to the alleged fake small industries through linkages that are under the CBI scanner, Coal India Limited’s Central Coalfield Limited has stopped the supply to such companies within and outside Jharkhand.
Following the directives issued by the CCL headquarters in Ranchi, four collieries in Ramgarh district have stopped supply to small industries.
CCL GM said the coal linkage delivery was stopped on Sunday to small industries which are under the scanner of the CBI following a directive issued by CMD of CCL Mr RK Saha.
The GM said that around 60 coal carrying trucks were returned empty on October 30th 2011. He added that "We have issued office order to all officials not to deliver coal to of private sector small industries from the mines."
(sourced from TimesofIndia)
TNN reported that embarrassed over irregularities in coal supply to the alleged fake small industries through linkages that are under the CBI scanner, Coal India Limited’s Central Coalfield Limited has stopped the supply to such companies within and outside Jharkhand.
Following the directives issued by the CCL headquarters in Ranchi, four collieries in Ramgarh district have stopped supply to small industries.
CCL GM said the coal linkage delivery was stopped on Sunday to small industries which are under the scanner of the CBI following a directive issued by CMD of CCL Mr RK Saha.
The GM said that around 60 coal carrying trucks were returned empty on October 30th 2011. He added that "We have issued office order to all officials not to deliver coal to of private sector small industries from the mines."
(sourced from TimesofIndia)
Monday, October 31, 2011
Irregularities at Krishnapatnam Port
Monday, 31 Oct 2011
The New Indian Express reported that the CBI team that investigated iron ore exports by the Obulapuram Mining Company owned by Mr Gali Janardhan Reddy through the Krishnapatnam Port has reportedly found several irregularities.
According to sources, it found that 2,000 trucks ferried ore from Obulapuram in Anantapur district to the port in Nellore district daily, each carrying 40 tonnes to 55 tonnes of ore as against the permitted load of 15 tonnes.
However, CBI officials were tight lipped on how many companies were involved in iron ore export from Krishnapatnam between 2007 and 2009 and what OMC’s share was. They simply said investigation is complete and a charge sheet would be filed in a day or two.
It is learnt that the CBI found that 4.2 million tonnes of ore was exported from the port by 80 companies since 2007 but only 1.4 million tonnes was recorded.
It seized some crucial documents during its visit to the customs office after questioning its assistant commissioner Mr K Ranga Rao.
Not satisfied with the answers given by the port authorities, the CBI has issued notices seeking a written reply.
(sourced from IndianExpress)
The New Indian Express reported that the CBI team that investigated iron ore exports by the Obulapuram Mining Company owned by Mr Gali Janardhan Reddy through the Krishnapatnam Port has reportedly found several irregularities.
According to sources, it found that 2,000 trucks ferried ore from Obulapuram in Anantapur district to the port in Nellore district daily, each carrying 40 tonnes to 55 tonnes of ore as against the permitted load of 15 tonnes.
However, CBI officials were tight lipped on how many companies were involved in iron ore export from Krishnapatnam between 2007 and 2009 and what OMC’s share was. They simply said investigation is complete and a charge sheet would be filed in a day or two.
It is learnt that the CBI found that 4.2 million tonnes of ore was exported from the port by 80 companies since 2007 but only 1.4 million tonnes was recorded.
It seized some crucial documents during its visit to the customs office after questioning its assistant commissioner Mr K Ranga Rao.
Not satisfied with the answers given by the port authorities, the CBI has issued notices seeking a written reply.
(sourced from IndianExpress)
Saturday, February 26, 2011
BHP Billiton Suspended Wessels Manganese Operations After Death
Feb25, 2011,
Carli Lourens
Feb. 24 (Bloomberg) -- BHP Billiton Ltd. said it suspended operations at Wessels manganese mine, part of its Hotazel unit in South Africa, after an employee was killed in an accident.
An investigation into the incident has been started, the company said in an e-mailed statement today.
Carli Lourens
Feb. 24 (Bloomberg) -- BHP Billiton Ltd. said it suspended operations at Wessels manganese mine, part of its Hotazel unit in South Africa, after an employee was killed in an accident.
An investigation into the incident has been started, the company said in an e-mailed statement today.
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