BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday ordered a Vigilance investigation into the large-scale illegal mining in Hemgir and Koida tehsils of Sundargarh district. A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed by the anti-corruption bureau to probe the case.
On April 4, a team of Sundargarh administration had detected massive illegal coal inside Telendihi revenue forest. Subsequently, unauthorised coal mining was unearthed in Ratansara and Bhograkachhar forests.
The administration found illegally-mined pits and coal dumps besides an unauthorised brick kiln with above two lakh finished bricks in Bhograkachhar forest.
On April 18, the chief minister sent Steel and Mines minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena and Forest and Environment minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia to the illegal mining sites and asked them to submit a report.
The two ministers had visited around a dozen illegal mining sites and had discussed the matter with the mining and forest officials. Announcing the decision, steel and mines minister Jena said that the chief minister is known for taking a strong stand against corruption, particularly in mining activities. Jena said the action reflects the state government’s policy of zero tolerance towards any form of corruption.
The chief minister has asked the Vigilance to expose all culprits involved in this loot of mineral resources, the minister said. Stating that the government has taken the illegal mining activities very seriously, the minister assured that strict action will be taken against those responsible.
The steel and mines department said over 9,843 tonne of coal worth about Rs 2 crore were found to have been extracted from 22 coal mines of Hemgir tehsil. Of these, 14 mines were in Gopalpur village, three were in Ratansara and five were in Bhograkachhar village. All these illegal mines were on forest land.
There was also information that illegally mined coal was hidden in Jamkhan reserve forest area and Bhograkachhar village. Similarly, in Koida tehsil, 50 illegal manganese and iron ore mines were detected and ore worth over Rs 37 crore was found. From these mines, 20,000 tonne manganese and over 1,200 tonne iron ore were extracted.