Ministers inspect illegal coal mining sites in Sundargarh | Bhubaneswar News
Rourkela: Mines minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena and forest minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia on Friday inspected forest areas in Sundargarh district from where illegal coal mining operations have reportedly been going on for years.
The ministerial delegation, accompanied by local MLAs and senior officials, visited multiple sites, including Telendihi, Ratansara, Jamkani, and Bhogra-Kachhar forest in Hemgir block. The team inspected 22 coal pits where unauthorised extraction and smuggling activities had taken place.
“Those involved in illegal mining and smuggling will not be spared. The Mohan Majhi govt will never encourage corruption or illegal mineral extraction,” said Jena. He said while probe is on, the option of CBI inquiry is open too.
Forest minister Singkhuntia emphasised strict action against perpetrators, stating, “Those who have been looting valuable minerals for years will be put behind bars. Any official found involved will face serious consequences.”
The ministerial visit follows recent media reports exposing illegal coal mining worth crores of rupees in Gopalpur forest range. District officials have already seized 141.76 tonnes of illegally mined coal, which has been transferred to MCL’s Basundhara area pending auction. Cops are probing the issue following an FIR filed by a junior mining officer at Hemgir police station.
The issue has gained political attention with several legislators, including BJP leader Kusum Tete and BJD MLA Jogesh Singh, demanding high-level probes. In response, district collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan has ordered a probe into the illegal operations.
A nine-member enforcement team from the directorate of mines & geology, Odisha, has been deployed to investigate the extent of illegal mining and smuggling in the affected areas.
Rourkela: Mines minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena and forest minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia on Friday inspected forest areas in Sundargarh district from where illegal coal mining operations have reportedly been going on for years.
The ministerial delegation, accompanied by local MLAs and senior officials, visited multiple sites, including Telendihi, Ratansara, Jamkani, and Bhogra-Kachhar forest in Hemgir block. The team inspected 22 coal pits where unauthorised extraction and smuggling activities had taken place.
“Those involved in illegal mining and smuggling will not be spared. The Mohan Majhi govt will never encourage corruption or illegal mineral extraction,” said Jena. He said while probe is on, the option of CBI inquiry is open too.
Forest minister Singkhuntia emphasised strict action against perpetrators, stating, “Those who have been looting valuable minerals for years will be put behind bars. Any official found involved will face serious consequences.”
The ministerial visit follows recent media reports exposing illegal coal mining worth crores of rupees in Gopalpur forest range. District officials have already seized 141.76 tonnes of illegally mined coal, which has been transferred to MCL’s Basundhara area pending auction. Cops are probing the issue following an FIR filed by a junior mining officer at Hemgir police station.
The issue has gained political attention with several legislators, including BJP leader Kusum Tete and BJD MLA Jogesh Singh, demanding high-level probes. In response, district collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan has ordered a probe into the illegal operations.
A nine-member enforcement team from the directorate of mines & geology, Odisha, has been deployed to investigate the extent of illegal mining and smuggling in the affected areas.
The ministerial delegation, accompanied by local MLAs and senior officials, visited multiple sites, including Telendihi, Ratansara, Jamkani, and Bhogra-Kachhar forest in Hemgir block. The team inspected 22 coal pits where unauthorised extraction and smuggling activities had taken place.
“Those involved in illegal mining and smuggling will not be spared. The Mohan Majhi govt will never encourage corruption or illegal mineral extraction,” said Jena. He said while probe is on, the option of CBI inquiry is open too.
Forest minister Singkhuntia emphasised strict action against perpetrators, stating, “Those who have been looting valuable minerals for years will be put behind bars. Any official found involved will face serious consequences.”
The ministerial visit follows recent media reports exposing illegal coal mining worth crores of rupees in Gopalpur forest range. District officials have already seized 141.76 tonnes of illegally mined coal, which has been transferred to MCL’s Basundhara area pending auction. Cops are probing the issue following an FIR filed by a junior mining officer at Hemgir police station.
The issue has gained political attention with several legislators, including BJP leader Kusum Tete and BJD MLA Jogesh Singh, demanding high-level probes. In response, district collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan has ordered a probe into the illegal operations.
A nine-member enforcement team from the directorate of mines & geology, Odisha, has been deployed to investigate the extent of illegal mining and smuggling in the affected areas.
Rourkela: Mines minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena and forest minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia on Friday inspected forest areas in Sundargarh district from where illegal coal mining operations have reportedly been going on for years.
The ministerial delegation, accompanied by local MLAs and senior officials, visited multiple sites, including Telendihi, Ratansara, Jamkani, and Bhogra-Kachhar forest in Hemgir block. The team inspected 22 coal pits where unauthorised extraction and smuggling activities had taken place.
“Those involved in illegal mining and smuggling will not be spared. The Mohan Majhi govt will never encourage corruption or illegal mineral extraction,” said Jena. He said while probe is on, the option of CBI inquiry is open too.
Forest minister Singkhuntia emphasised strict action against perpetrators, stating, “Those who have been looting valuable minerals for years will be put behind bars. Any official found involved will face serious consequences.”
The ministerial visit follows recent media reports exposing illegal coal mining worth crores of rupees in Gopalpur forest range. District officials have already seized 141.76 tonnes of illegally mined coal, which has been transferred to MCL’s Basundhara area pending auction. Cops are probing the issue following an FIR filed by a junior mining officer at Hemgir police station.
The issue has gained political attention with several legislators, including BJP leader Kusum Tete and BJD MLA Jogesh Singh, demanding high-level probes. In response, district collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan has ordered a probe into the illegal operations.
A nine-member enforcement team from the directorate of mines & geology, Odisha, has been deployed to investigate the extent of illegal mining and smuggling in the affected areas.
