The Odisha government has taken stringent action against two senior mining officials, suspending them for their alleged involvement in facilitating illegal sand mining operations in the state. The move underscores the administration's declared zero-tolerance stance against the plunder of natural resources.
Officials Suspended Following District Recommendation
The State Steel and Mines Minister, Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, issued the suspension orders on Monday. The officials facing action are Jay Prakash Nayak, the Deputy Director (Mines-Minor Minerals) for Jajpur, and Satish Tarai, the District Mining Officer for Jagatsinghpur. Minister Jena reiterated the government's firm policy against illegal mining and warned that the crackdown would continue, with strict action promised for any official found complicit.
The disciplinary action was initiated based on a strong recommendation from the Jagatsinghpur district administration. The administration reported an alleged nexus between the senior officials and the sand mafia, enabling rampant unauthorized extraction.
Raids Uncover Large-Scale Violations
The suspension follows a series of enforcement raids that exposed significant illegal activities. Earlier, on November 27, both officers were served show-cause notices. This came just hours after a joint enforcement team conducted a late-night raid at the Kilipal quarry in Tirtol tehsil. The raid resulted in the seizure of several excavators and earthmovers suspected to be used for illegal sand lifting.
Even prior to that, on November 25, the district administration had raided multiple illegal sand mining sites across Jagatsinghpur. In a major haul from the Kilipal ghat on the Mahanadi riverbed under Tirtol block, authorities seized 50 sand-laden trucks and three other vehicles. Notably, these vehicles were caught lifting sand without the mandatory transit passes. District officials pointed out that this brazen activity occurred "under the very noses" of the now-suspended officials, which prompted the recommendation for severe action.
GPS Evidence Reveals Deliberate Encroachment
During the intensive investigations, the enforcement team uncovered large-scale violations of the Odisha Minor Minerals Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2023. A critical finding involved the mining operations of one Saroj Kumar Mohanty, who held a legitimate sand lease for 13 acres for five years starting July 24, 2024.
However, the investigation revealed that the actual mining had extended far beyond the approved lease boundary. On-site GPS readings confirmed that operations were being carried out between 233 to 304 meters outside the sanctioned limits. This clear evidence indicated deliberate encroachment and pointed towards organized illegal mining activities, as explained by officials involved in the probe.
The suspension of the two senior officers marks a significant step in Odisha's fight against illegal sand mining, signaling that bureaucratic collusion will not be tolerated. The state government's actions aim to curb the environmental and economic damage caused by such unauthorized extraction.
