CBI, income tax dept find bureaucratic and political nexus in illegal coal mining

The income tax (I-T) department and the CBI have found nexus of certain bureaucrats, Eastern Coalfields officials and some politicians in allowing illegal coal mining, tightening the noose around those involved in these operations.

A highly placed CBI official told FE that there are orders from the home ministry to stop the flow of political funding from illegal sources, which has prompted both the I-T department and the CBI to take actions against the illegal miners.

Illegal coal mining, carried out in the abandoned mines of the Eastern Coalfields in the Salanpur, Pandebeswar, Kajora, Sripur, JK Nagar, Kurustoria, Khaskenda,Neokonda, Harishpur and Haripur areas, has been estimated to be a thriving business of around Rs 800 -1000 crore.