Joda: Mineral transportation has been going on without the mineral-laden vehicles being weighed at the government weighbridge at Kalimati under Joda mining circle in Keonjhar.
Locals alleged that vehicles are allowed to pass without checking how much mineral is transported in them.
Following the allegation, this correspondent visited the spot to take stock of the situation recently and found that scores of mineral-bearing vehicles were parked along the road while helpers were getting the challans and documents signed and approved by the weighbridge staff.
As per norms, mineral-carrying vehicles are supposed to be weighed on the government weigh bridge before leaving for their destinations.
Some helpers of vehicles — Dusmant Pradhan, Madhu Munda, Deepak Munda, Sushant Mohant and Naga Pradhan — revealed that the staff of the weigh bridge take bribe of Rs 10 to Rs 100 from local trucks while the amount is up to Rs 500 from vehicles of other states.
As soon as the weigh bridge staff saw media persons, they tried to cover up their act and directed the vehicles to pass through weighbridge.
Earlier, Orissa POST had carried a report in this regard in August. The mines department was active and had effected a reshuffle of weighbridge staff.
Locals alleged that everything went on for some time, but things are back to square one.
PNN
