Jamshedpur, Nov 23: Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy has reckoned that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) does not have the capacity to completely break the powerful coal mafia operating in Dhanbad, claiming that the illegal mining network is protected by deep-rooted political and administrative support.
In a statement, Roy said that the ED can only track black money, investigate financial crimes and expose money laundering. He feels that it cannot eliminate the system of corruption by itself. He alleged that the coal mafia enjoys open political backing, which makes it impossible for any single agency to act independently and effectively.
The MLA further claimed that the illegal mining network in Dhanbad has strong connections with influential circles in both the state and central governments. According to him, several political players are directly involved in protecting these operations, while the district administration in Dhanbad has fallen under the influence of the mafia.
Roy also pointed out that the influence of the coal mafia allegedly extends to the Jharkhand government secretariat. He said that replies given in the state Assembly and so-called official records often appear carefully prepared to safeguard the interests of those involved in illegal coal mining.
The MLA alleged that people whose houses or offices are raided by the ED for illegal mining or money laundering regularly place large newspaper advertisements showing their closeness to political parties. Some of them, he said, even openly announce plans to contest elections with party support.
Meanwhile, Roy also accused senior officials of BCCL, a central public sector company, of backing the coal mafia. He alleged that the PSU acts as a financial supporter to political figures who patronize illegal mining.
The MLA further demanded the formation of Special Investigation Teams (SITs) with joint participation from central and state agencies, saying that only coordinated action can dismantle the Dhanbad coal mafia.
