Odisha Minister Under Attack Over Sand Mining In Kharasrota River

Pratap Keshari Deb

Bhubaneswar: Opposition parties in Odisha launched a scathing attack on Energy Minister and Aul MLA Pratap Deb and demanded action against him for his alleged involvement in illegal sand mining in Kharasrota river.

Congress leader and former Aul MLA Debendra Sharma told the media on Wednesday that unauthorised sand mining was being carried out on the river bank near the palace of the minister for the construction of a big palatial house. “The officials concerned are helplessly watching the illegal act,” he claimed.

Secretary of the district unit of CPM Gayadhar Dhalalleged that the Aul tehsildar was acting in connivance in the theft and pilferage of sand. “The minister is using machines to lift sand from the river bed illegally despite the district administration’s order restricting sand lifting to only specific areas,” added Dhal.

BJP leader Baidyanath Chaterjee also sought strict action against the minister.

Deb termed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. “If someone is illegally mining sand in Kharasrota river near my house, how am I to be blamed for it?” TNIE quoted him as questioning.