Recovery of Rs 443 crore, now in danger of confiscation: BJP MLA Sanjay Pathak’s troubles increase

• Mineral Department started the process

Jabalpur . The troubles of BJP MLA and veteran businessman Sanjay Pathak from Vijayraghavgarh seat of Katni do not seem to be ending. The case of recovery of Rs 443 crore imposed by the Mineral Department on three iron ore mines owned by him located in Sihora tehsil of Jabalpur district has now reached a decisive turn. The deadline for the last notice given by the department expired on December 23, but no response was filed by the companies concerned.

Case of excavation exceeding the prescribed limit
The investigation of the Mineral Department has revealed that companies named Nirmala Mineral, Anand and Pacific Mineral have excavated in their mines much more than the prescribed limit. However, the companies have been arguing that they had deposited the royalty for excess mining, but as per the rules, despite depositing the royalty, there is a provision of heavy penalty for excavation beyond the limit. The department had issued a final notice on December 4 along with the investigation report and documents, due to which no reply was received and now the department has started the statutory process of recovery.

Recovery will be done by seizing property or mine
According to departmental sources, since the notice period has expired, the Mineral Department will now issue a demand notice and take forward the recovery action. If even after this the stipulated amount is not deposited, then the department is preparing to seize the mines or other properties of equal value owned by the MLA. Although the top officials of the Mineral Department are still avoiding saying anything openly on this sensitive matter, but records show that this recovery of Rs 443 crore is now certain to be done under any circumstances. In the coming days, the strict steps taken by the department may prove to be a big blow to Sanjay Pathak’s business empire.