Mines department conducts raids on black stone quarries In Jajpur

 By Akshya Rout

JAJPUR, MAR 26: The Steel and Mines department on Thursday carried out extensive raids on black stone quarries located in Dharmasala block of Jajpur district. A team of the department led Deputy director of mines  Jayaprakash Nayak and local police raided Rahadpur and Dankari black stone quarries over allegations of irregularities and excessive mining. 

DDM Said We seized Two compressor and one Hywa loaded with boulders  during our raid.  We will submit a report to the authorities soon , said Jayaprakash Nayak the Deputy Director mines  (Minor Minerals ), Jajpur. We directed the police and the district administration  to take stern action against the persons who  are involved in illegal stone quarry works, added the officer.

 He also directed the concerned official to maintain transparency while dealing with mining activities. Mining Officer, Jajpur,  Junior Mining Officers,  Tahasildar, Dharmasala,  Jenapur IIC and police team are present were present during his visit.  Recently  DDM Nayak   filed certificate cases against 18 black-stone  quarry lease holders of Dharmasala block in Jajpur district to recover 298 crores of penalty amount from them   under the Odisha Public Demands Recovery Act (OPDR Act), 1962  as they illegally over-extracted more stones beyond their lease areas.

 We filed certificate cases  against 18 black-stone  quarry lease holders  before the collector , Jajpur as they did not pay 298 crores penalty which imposed on them by Revenue department last year   on the charges of  indulging in illegal black- stone quarrying  at many  hills under Dharamshala   Tehsil in the  district , said Jayaprakash Nayak the Deputy Director mines  (Minor Minerals ).