Since the BJP government assumed power in June 2024, sand and minor mineral theft has spiralled exponentially, and this is happening under the patronage of BJP ministers and leaders, the Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) alleged on Friday while seeking the Chief Minister’s clarification in this regard.
At a recently held District Collectors’ conference, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi issued directions to stop illegal sand mining, which bears testimony to the fact that the state has been witnessing growth in sand theft.
BJD spokesperson Dr. Lenin Mohanty and BCJD President Ipsita Sahu, briefing reporters here on Friday, accused BJP leaders and ministers of being hand in glove with the sand mafia.
As a result, revenue from minor minerals in the state has significantly declined, they said.
In the financial year 2023-24, the state received Rs 1,485 crore in revenue from minor minerals, whereas in the financial year 2024-25, this revenue fell drastically to Rs 600 crore, Mohanty pointed out.
He further said that sand theft had increased due to encouragement from BJP leaders and ministers, turning sand into a rare commodity in the state. Sand prices have increased unnecessarily, causing a rise in construction costs. He added that allegations of involvement of BJP leaders and the Chief Minister’s Office in the thefts have also surfaced.
Such serious allegations against a Chief Minister were unprecedented since independence. Hence, we demand a clarification from the Chief Minister on this matter, they said.
It is widely discussed in the state that the Chief Minister and his family members are directly linked to Himanshu Shekhar Sahu, a legislator accused of sand and minor mineral theft.
In Ganjam, state Mining Minister Bibhuti Jena is alleged to have been involved in sand and mineral theft. The state government must give an explanation to the people on the loot of minor minerals, Mohanty said.
Pradeep Balsamant, a minister in the Majhi cabinet, has taken possession of a stone quarry, along with sand mining in Nayagarh district, in the name of his wife and son. Similarly, Badamba-Narasinghpur MLA Vijay Dalabehera has reportedly colluded with sand and minor mineral mafias in his area.
Unless the BJP issues a clarification on the alleged sand and minor mineral loot, the BJD will continue to hit the streets on the issue in the coming days, the BJD leaders concluded.