By Our Business Affairs Bureau
JODA/BARBIL/BHUBANESWAR: Some people says, he runs the Odisha Government, some others say, he has final say in Joda-Barbil-Koira region of Odisha’s mineral rich Keonjhar and Sundargarh district, finally, Tamil Nadu’s Salem based Mines mafia, B Prabhakaran, who owns Thriveni Earth Movers Pvt Ltd, proved himself as he is only ‘Badshah’ of Odisha’s mining belt.
The turnover of the mining contract company owned by B Prabhakaran rose by 1300% in a decade and half. What does it tell us about Odisha?.Thriveni Earthmovers, is the largest raising contractor in the state. Its turnover, around Rs 90 crore in 2000, now stands at Rs 1,400 crore – a rise of over 1344% in a decade and half.
For the first time, Thriveni Earth Movers of Tamil Nadu’s Salem based mines mafia, B Prabhakaran got Lasarda-Pacheri manganese blocks in Keonjhar in Odisha.TEPL’s highest final price offer was 44.65 per cent.Besides TEPL, other firms which took part in the financial bidding process for the manganese block were Feegrade, Ambey Mining, GV Mines Minerals & Metals and National Mineral Development Corporation. The block located in Keonjhar district has an estimated reserve of 11.61 million tonne.
Prabhakaran was earlier illigally taken over 12 mines as sub-lease violating Rule 37 of Mines and Minerals Act. One powerful Odisha cadre IAS officer from South, backed Prabhakaran to get the mines.
It would take around 40 to 50 years for the TEMPL to complete the entire exploration process, which will promote illigal mining, said sources.TEPL would have to initially apply for prospecting license followed by mining lease. The state government issued notification for auction of four blocks including Kottameta and Lasarda-Pacheri blocks on October 26, 2016.
Meanwhile, the studied silence maintained by India’s one of the most controversial figure in mining sector , B Prabhakaran, proved that his company, Thriveni Earth Movers Pvt Ltd, working in Odisha’s mineral rich Keonjhar and Sundargarh district, is continuing its illigal mining business with help of some IAS officers and ruling BJD leaders in Odisha.
Bhubaneswar headquaters’ www.indianewsdiary.com, which has been following Prabhakaran’s illigal business network in Odisha and his influence in Naveen Patnaik led BJD administration , however had earlier emailed 10 questions asking the TEMPL CMD to reply but after near a week, no answer from Prabhakaran’s office.Despite several attempts on TEMPL’s landline telephone no(06746770050), no response yet.
www.indianewsdiary.com has been trying since a very long time to get reaction of Prabhakaran but not possible till now. Prabhakaran hired a good number of people from South India , particularly from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh for his mining work while people of local areas in Joda, Barbil and Koira are suffering a lot due to lack of work. Few weeks back, locals have called a press meet against Prabhakaran’s love for non-Odia workers and labourers.
Why CBI silent on TEMPL Group? Looting continuing in Keonjhar-Sundargarh. The TEMPL, which has no mines in Odisha, however despite Mining Scam, Justice MB Shah Commission probe, Vigilance probe, probe by ED and subsequent, new Mines and Minerals( Development and Explorations) Act of 2015, running its illigal mining network in Odisha’s mineral rich Keonjhar-Sundargarh district.
It looted Rs 40,000 crore from Keonjhar-Sundargarh through illigal mining since past 10 years. A spot visit to TEMPL’s Joda Central Office, will only tell you the truth , how illigal mining is continuing now also.
Several environmental and wildlife activists have demanded a CBI probe .The company involved in illegal mining. Illegal mining and transportation continuing as it illegally hatched good relations with Odisha Government and Indian Bureau of Mines officials.
“We demand CBI probe and arrest of B Prabhakaran for illegal mining, air, water pollution, wildlife and forest act violation and violation of mines and minerals act,” PN Swain, a leading wildlife activist said.
This apart, company played a key role in Odisha mining scam and violated Mines and Minerals Act, Mines and Minerals Regulation Act of 1957’s section 21. The company involved in illegal mining, theft and transportation. The company has violated pollution control act of 1986, air pollution control act of 1981, water pollution control act of 1974 and forest rights act of 1980.
Companies were supposed to extract mining with clearance of air and water pollution control under various acts like Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and consent to operate under the Water (PCP) Act, 1974 and Air (PCP) Act, 1981.
The firm has been violating forest and wildlife laws .The Company, which is also creating air and water pollution while defying orders of Odisha State Pollution Control Board and Union Forest and Environment Ministry. Action should have taken against the company under Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and Odisha Forest Act-1972 and Mines and Minerals Act. But instead , the company got extension to run its closed mines.
Company which operating without valid consent to operate should have been issued closure directions or will be prosecuted as per the provisions in Water (PCP) Act, 1974 and Air(PCP) Act, 1981.While granting “consent to operate”, it will be ensured that the proponent has obtained all other statutory clearances under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.The Company has no respect to labour laws, they said.
