Kolkata: Union coal and mines minister G Kishan Reddy alleged on Monday that Bengal’s coal sector was controlled by illegal operators and the mafia for years. He called it a “jungle raj” caused by lack of accountability under previous govts.Speaking at an Assocham roadshow on Angul Aluminium Park, Reddy said Centre is initiating reforms to bring transparency, curb illegal extraction and ensure mining revenues reach the state govt. “There was no permission for mining, yet illegal extraction was carried out. Accidents took place, lives were lost and there was zero accountability. Such a ‘Jungle Raj’ prevailed in Bengal, which we are now making dedicated efforts to change under PM Narendra Modi’s guidance,” he said.Reddy added he would meet chief minister Suvendu Adhikari to discuss developing Bengal’s mining sector. He said a Bengal-Odisha industrial corridor can advance India’s Act East policy for aluminium-based downstream industries.Over Rs 79,000 crore has been spent on infrastructure in Bengal, while projects worth nearly Rs 1.5 lakh crore are planned, Reddy said.
