Illegal stone mining continues unabated in Odisha's Koraput

Sources say nexus between local revenue officials and contractors is helping such illegal units to function

KORAPUT: Despite the recent Bariput stone quarry tragedy which claimed the lives of two persons,  the district administration of Koraput is yet to curb illegal blasting and exploration of stones in the tribal areas.
Over 100 stone exploration units are functioning with impunity in the areas violating Government norms. The nexus between local revenue officials and contractors is believed to be the reason behind the functioning of such illegal units, said sources.

As per norms, the tehsildars are required to survey local surroundings, ecological scenario and human habitation situated on stone quarry plots before granting permission to leaseholders or contractors. Besides, the contractors must get permission from the Forest and Environment department and the village panchayats before exploring the stone quarries. However, such details are often overlooked by the revenue tehsil office.

Sources said that contractors, violating the norms, have set up their machineries close to human habitations in Borrigumma, Koraput, Damonjodi, Kotpad, Bopariguda, Kundra, Laxmipur, Dasmantpur and Potangi  areas of the district.

What’s worse is that the locals are wary of the contractors and never report such illegal activities to the authorities concerned.  “Illegal mining and transportation of stones from quarries in different areas of Koraput region have  become a regular affair”, rued Ramesh Sahu, a resident of Jeypore.

Meanwhile, at a meeting held here on Saturday, the locals demanded before the district administration to check such illegal stone mining in the district by  forming a task force. Recently, the district administration had proposed to stop stone mining in the district after the Bariput incident which claimed the lives of two drivers as stone caved in and it was found that stone exploration was going on at the site in violation of Government norms.

The facts
Over 100 stone exploration units are functioning  with impunity in the areas violating Government norms
Locals demanded before the district administration to check such illegal stone mining in the district by  forming a task force

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