CAG Report Detects Illegal Mining of Minor Minerals and Huge Revenue Loss

The state government incurred huge revenue loss running to thousands of crores with respect to minor minerals due to glaring lapses.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

During the financial years 2015 to 2022, the total revenue from minor minerals was Rs 2968 crore but the losses and pilferage were very high.

The facts were revealed in a performance audit on "Systems and Controls in Assessment and Collection of Minor Mineral Receipts" conducted by the CAG.

In the test-checked 22 Tahasils, out of the existing 520 minor mineral sources, 147 sources (28.27 per cent) had been operational, while 373 sources (71.73 per cent) had remained non-operational, as on 31 March 2022.

Incorporation of provisions in the Odisha Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2016 for deduction of royalty without other charges, from the bills of contractors, in the event of non-production of transit pass supporting procurement of minor minerals from authorised sources/agencies, resulted in leakage of mineral revenue of ₹864.45 crore.