₹2,000-crore minor minerals revenue loss alleged in Odisha; demand for probe .

JAJPUR,30/08(PPT): Serious allegations of large-scale irregularities and possible revenue loss in the extraction and management of minor minerals in Odisha have been raised by former Minister Er. Pritiranjan Ghadei, who has alleged that the State may have suffered losses of around ₹2,000 crore.

Mr. Ghadei said minor minerals constitute an important natural resource of the State and called for greater transparency in their extraction, leasing, revenue collection and overall management.

According to the allegation, irregularities in the minor mineral trade may have resulted in substantial loss to the State exchequer. He has called for a comprehensive and impartial inquiry to establish the facts and determine the extent of any revenue loss.

The proposed investigation, he said, should examine the revenue generated from minor mineral resources, identify areas where revenue may have been lost and establish whether any officials, agencies or other stakeholders were responsible for the alleged lapses.

“People are entitled to an account of their resources,” Mr. Ghadei said, stressing the need for transparency, accountability and action in accordance with law in the management of minor mineral resources.

The allegations have also raised questions over the monitoring of mineral extraction, the grant and regulation of leases and the mechanisms used for assessing and collecting the State’s share of revenue.

The ₹2,000-crore figure, however, remains an allegation and would need to be independently verified through an official inquiry and examination of government records.

The immediate questions are whether there was any revenue loss of the magnitude alleged and, if so, who was responsible for it. An impartial investigation and disclosure of its findings would be necessary to establish the facts and fix accountability.