Joda: There has been no let-up in illegal mining and mineral transportation in Joda mining circle in Keonjhar district. The police seized two trucks carrying illegally extracted iron ore at Lahanda under Bileipada outpost Thursday.
When police detained the trucks, the drivers and helpers managed to flee into a nearby forest.
The police have kept the vehicles on the premises of Joda police station. About 80 tonnes of iron ore were seized. It is valued at Rs 2.5 lakh.
Even though illegal mining is going on in Joda, the authorities concerned have been lethargic amid allegations that some unscrupulous officials are facilitating the illegal activity for hefty commissions.
Significantly, the place where the two trucks were seized has a government weigh bridge. Officials here check mineral weight. The passing of the trucks through the weigh bridge unnoticed has surprised many. With the seizure of the minerals, the role of the mines department has come under cloud.
Even though the government has introduced the Integrated Mines Mineral Management System (i3Ms) to check mineral loot and track its transportation, such illegal activities have not been stopped. It is alleged that a squad of mining inspectors is not functioning well.
When the mines department claims that it has been keeping a close watch on mineral loot, the police have been intercepting vehicles engaged in illegal mineral transport, it was alleged.
The state mines department and the state government have resorted to various measures to check illegal mining and transport of minerals. Despite this, such illegal activities have been on the rise in the area, exposing the lax steps of the mining department, locals alleged.
The result is that the state government has been losing revenue worth crores of rupees.