Bhubaneswar, (OT Webdesk)– The Odisha Vigilance Department has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining in Sundargarh district, deploying a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe large-scale mineral extraction in Hemagiri and Koida.
The investigation follows directives from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, reinforcing the government’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption. Initial findings indicate that 9,843 metric tonnes of coal were illegally extracted from 22 mines in Hemagiri, with an estimated value exceeding ₹2 crore. Further scrutiny in Koida tehsil has uncovered illegal manganese and iron ore mining from 50 sites, with estimated mineral theft worth over ₹37 crore.
Steel and Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena submitted a report detailing the extent of these activities, prompting swift action from the government. The SIT has been assigned to trace the perpetrators, dismantle illegal supply networks, and ensure accountability.
As the probe progresses, legal actions are expected, reinforcing the state’s commitment to ending corruption in the mining sector.
