Rampant sand loot has been taking place from the bed of the Suktel river near Khari gram panchayat under Tarbha RI circle and Mahanadi near Pitamahul gram panchayat under Sublaya RI circle in Subarnapur district, while the Government is losing revenue worth crores of rupees every year. The Revenue department leases out sand ghats in Khari ghats, Thakurpur, Duleswar and many other places every year. But some leaseholders have been lifting sand excessively beyond the limit fixed by the Tehsil. The Government loses revenue due to excessive sand lifting. It is alleged that some leaseholders have sub-let a ghat to the mafias at different places of the district. Some have not yet completed signing of formal agreement with the Tehsil. They have not even obtained the statutory clearance from the State Pollution Control Board for sand lifting, it was learnt.
locals have demanded a probe into the illegalities. A few days ago, machines were engaged in sand quarrying and truck loads of sand had been transported to other places. However, the Revenue officials are accused of looking the other way.
Contacted, Birmaharajpur Tehsildar laxmiprasad Sahu said a report has been sought on the issue. “Keeping in view the tense situation, we have collected fine Rs 40,000 from an organization,” he added.