By Sunil Jena, Editor-in-Chief | The Politics Odia
Bhubaneswar: The stone mining issue in Jajpur district has once again brought Odisha politics into the spotlight. A recent decision by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has added fresh energy to an already sensitive debate. According to reports, the NGT has imposed a fine of twenty thousand rupees on the Jajpur Collector for not submitting the investigation report on alleged illegal minor mineral extraction in the Dharmashala constituency.
The alleged illegal extraction from a black stone quarry had earlier led to the formation of a joint committee for investigation at the administrative level. The delay or non-submission of the report to the NGT has now resulted in a penalty, which has created sharp reactions in political and public circles.
This situation also connects to earlier statements made by PCC President Bhakta Charan Das, who had alleged that influential figures, including those at high political levels, were linked to the mining activities. These statements were strongly debated at that time, and although denied by the concerned side, the controversy was never fully settled.
Now, with the NGT action coming into the picture, discussions have intensified again. Some political observers are suggesting that the state government may now be distancing itself from Dharmashala MLA Liku Sahu, who is often mentioned in public conversations related to the local mining network. While these are public perceptions and not confirmed findings, the debate has certainly become louder.
At the same time, questions are being raised about why the Jajpur Collector was unable to submit the report on time and whether there was any administrative pressure involved. These questions remain open and unanswered for now, but they have contributed to the rising temperature in Odisha’s political environment.
The issue has also revived larger conversations about transparency, local political influence and administrative responsibility in the handling of mineral resources. With more voices now entering the discussion, the Dharmashala mining case appears set to remain a major point of debate in the state for some time.
The coming weeks will show whether further investigation brings clarity or whether the political controversy deepens further.
