Rourkela: The administration has failed to check illegal stone quarrying as the mafia continues to extract stones from at least 20 mines in Lathikata block, on the outskirts of this city, costing crores of rupees to the state exchequer, according to a report.
Several earth moving machines are engaged round the clock while trucks, dumpers and other transport vehicles are queuing up for transportation of stones to other areas, it was learnt.
According to government norms, one has to take permission from the local administration and pay revenue to the government to extract stones.
However, the mafia continues to flout the norm and get away without paying anything in connivance with some government officials, it is alleged. Such activities have been going on over the years under the patronage of some political leaders and government officials, according to sources.
The mindless stone on hills increases the level of air pollution in the area. Besides, the deafening noise generated during blasts adversely affect wild life and trigger panic among locals, it was learnt.
According to Lathikata tehsil office sources, there are 27 stone quarries in the block from which government gets revenues.
However, the mafia illegally extracts stones from another 20 quarries and the government doesn’t get a penny from them. These mines are located in Jalada, Balanda and Deogaon regions, the sources said.
When contacted, tehsildar Bijay Behera, who joined recently, said he has already conducted raids on five illegal quarries and seized vehicles engaged in transportation of stones.
Besides, he has collected over Rs 3 lakh as penalty during the raids, Behera said.
He would intensify crackdown on illegal quarries to ensure the government doesn’t incur revenue loss, Behera added. PNN
