Bihar government orders probe into soil scam

Patna, April 6 (IANS) Facing flak from opposition, the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government on Thursday ordered a probe into alleged soil scam worth Rs 90 lakh in a beautification scheme for biological park in Patna.

State Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh confirmed that he has asked the officials concerned to submit a report in this matter within a week.

According to officials, Singh has also called files of the Forest Department after ordering a probe into it.

Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party's senior leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi alleged involvement of Bihar Forest and Environment Minister Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, and demanded that Nitish Kumar sack him from the post.

An official in the Chief Minister's Office said that the state government ordered a probe into it due to increased attack from the BJP on this issue. "Now everything will be inquired into it," the official said.

Earlier this week, Sushil Modi accused Tej Pratap Yadav of awarding contract of Rs 90 lakh for earth filling work, construction of a pathway and beautification work in the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park in Patna to a company without following the tender process.

Sushil Modi, who has described it as the "soil purchase scam", has demanded an all-party committee be set up to probe it.

"Lalu has not changed over the years, it has been proved with the soil purchase scam. He is himself an accused in the multi-million fodder scam, and like father, now his son is doing the soil scam," Modi said.

However, Tej Pratap denied all allegations against him by the opposition parties, and has also threatened to file a defamation case against Sushil Modi.