Keonjhar: Minor minerals like stone and murram are allegedly being plundered even in broad day light from Dhrupad mound in Keonjhargad municipality area, but the revenue department is sitting pretty, a report said.
The mafia has engaged excavators and cart away truckloads of minerals with the help of local people on a daily basis.
Locals alleged that some unscrupulous revenue officials are hand in glove with mineral looters and influential people.
The revenue department is not taking action against the guilty even though the loot is taking place under the very nose of the administration, they alleged.
Locals said the department is not leasing out the quarry, citing it as a disputed one. They pointed out that inaction by the revenue department has encouraged the mafia to loot huge quantities of minor minerals which has high demand in infrastructure sector.
As mineral loot goes on rampantly, the mafia has to clear big trees in the area, causing environmental degradation.
Besides, the revenue department is losing revenue to the tune of lakhs of rupees due to rampant mining.
Locals demanded that the administration take immediate action to stop mining of minerals from the area.
They asked why the administration does not lease out the area to stop unauthorised mineral loot and thus stop huge loss of revenues. PNN
