Bhubaneswar, May 23: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed a comprehensive Vigilance investigation into widespread illegal mining activities reported in Sundargarh district.
The probe will specifically target extensive unauthorized extraction and trade of minerals in Hemagiri and Koida tehsils.
To conduct a thorough inquiry, the Vigilance Department has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The move comes after Steel and Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena visited several mining sites in the affected areas, accompanied by departmental officials. Following his visit, the Minister submitted a detailed report to the Chief Minister and discussed the gravity of the situation.
In Hemagiri tehsil, preliminary reports reveal the illegal extraction of over 9,843 metric tonnes of coal from 22 mines, with an estimated market value exceeding ₹2 crore. Many of these mines are located on forest land, and additional reports indicate unauthorized coal storage near Jamkani reserved forest and Bhogarachachar village.
The Vigilance will probe illegal mining in Koida tehsil where investigations have uncovered illegal extraction of manganese and iron ore from around 50 mines.
From these sites, more than 20,000 metric tonnes of manganese ore and over 1,200 metric tonnes of iron ore have reportedly been extracted illegally. The estimated total value of the illegally mined ore exceeds ₹37 crore.
Minister Jena emphasized that the government is treating the matter with utmost seriousness and assured that strict legal action would be taken against all involved.
