Rayagada/JKPur: Even as hundreds of brick kilns have mushroomed in areas under Kailashkata revenue circle of Rayagada district in violation of a Supreme Court order, the district administration is sitting quite.
The kiln owners, in connivance with dishonest revenue officials, have managed to get away with the illegalities. Resentment brewed among locals as the illegal practice has been going on over years under the very nose of the revenue department, it was learnt.
According to reports, brick kilns can be seen on both sides of the road leading to Rekhapadar panchayat which is only a km from Kailashkata revenue office.
The rising number of kilns not only adds to air pollution in the area, the administration loses a huge amount of revenue because of these illegal units.
It may be noted that the apex court heard a writ petition in May 15, 2012 and declared open baking of clay brick illegal. The court also ordered chief secretaries (CS) of all states to ban open operation of brick kilns in the country.
In a similar order, National Green Tribunal, in its direction September 29, 2013, asked the CSs and environmental ministry to put brakes on such practices.
Though it has been over four years since the state government received the orders, they are yet to be executed in Rayagada district.
Contacted over the issue, revenue inspector in-charge Shankar Prasad Dalai said he along with other officials visited the stretch recently.
The kiln owners have been served notices to shut down their units with imposition of penalties, Dalai added.
A report over the issue would be submitted to the tehsildar soon, he said.
Kolnara tehsildar Gurucharan Malla said he was aware of the matter and action is being initiated against the owners. PNN