Odisha: SJTA Issues Notice To 19 Leaseholders For ‘Excess Mining’

Puri/Bhubaneswar: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) of Puri has issued show-cause notice to 19 leaseholders of stone quarries of the 12th century shrine in Khurda district following allegation of excess mining.

The notice was issued by Chief Administrator of SJTA, Arabinda Kumar Padhee under the Odisha Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2016. The move came amid allegation that the leaseholders were extracting minor minerals beyond the lease conditions, sources said.

As per the notice, violators are required to pay royalty, incidental charges and penalty for over-extraction of minor minerals within seven days.

Similarly, they have been asked to submit a written explanation as to the circumstances under which such an exception was carried out.

Further action will be taken after receiving the reply to the notice. If the leaseholders do not abide by the notice, the mining contract will be cancelled and all land assets of Lord Jagannath in Puri will be protected, the notice said.

Speaking on the issue, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan told reporters that the previous BJD government failed to protect the property of Lord Jagannath. It has been decided by the Mohan Majhi government that concrete steps will be taken to ensure the safety of the property of the 12th century shrine, he said.