BJP Leader from Odisha Raises Alarm on Coal Smuggling, Urges CM Majhi to Investigate
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Synopsis
On April 7, BJP leader Kusum Tete urged Odisha's Chief Minister to investigate rampant coal smuggling in Sundargarh's Hemgir block, citing significant revenue losses and unchecked criminal activities in the region.
Key Takeaways
- BJP leader Kusum Tete demands a probe into coal smuggling.
- Coal trafficking linked to illegal operations in Hemgir block.
- Significant revenue losses reported for the state.
- Coal smuggling affects local citizens and the environment.
- Calls for swift action from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
Bhubaneswar, April 7 (NationPress) Senior BJP leader and former Sundargarh MLA Kusum Tete has called for an extensive investigation into the widespread coal smuggling occurring in the opencast coal mines located in the Hemgir block of Sundargarh district, Odisha.
In a letter directed to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Tete highlighted the ongoing illegal coal trafficking operations that are moving coal out of Sundargarh and into neighboring states.
She indicated that this illicit activity is leading to significant financial losses for the state. “Despite the presence of Asia's largest opencast coal mines in the Gopalpur area of the Hemgir block, managed by the Government of India’s Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) since the 1990s, coal mafias are operating unchecked, disregarding both district and state authorities,” Tete stated.
Furthermore, she pointed out that the Central government had officially allocated mining blocks to legally recognized companies for coal extraction, which has benefited the state financially.
“However, the extensive coal smuggling that has been ongoing for years from the Kulapada and Telendihi reserve forest areas surrounding Gopalpur village has raised alarms among law-abiding citizens and has caused distress among local residents. The smuggling operations are reportedly spread over a 30 km radius within the reserve forest, featuring more than 100 mining sites and over 40 coal stockyards,” added the senior BJP leader.
Tete alleged that the substantial amounts of illegally obtained coal are being transported to Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
She noted that local media had recently uncovered these dubious activities, prompting a raid coordinated by the Sundargarh district administration, police, and forest department officials, led by the Sundargarh Sub-Collector.
“Despite the raids and alarming findings, the masterminds behind this coal smuggling syndicate remain at large, as neither the news channels nor the officials have reported any arrests or significant breakthroughs in the case. Thus, I urge your esteemed office to take prompt action to put an end to this severe crime, as well as to initiate a high-level investigation into the plundering of valuable public assets. This is for your immediate attention and necessary action,” Tete implored.
