Illegal mining at Bajabati Hill: NGT fines Jajpur Collector Rs 10,000 for delay in submitting report

The National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) Eastern Zone Bench in Kolkata has imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the Collector-cum-District Magistrate of Jajpur for failing to submit a mandated joint committee report on alleged illegal stone mining at Bajabati hill under Dharmasala tehsil, despite earlier directions and a field inspection by NGT-appointed officials.

In its order dated earlier this month, the NGT observed that a Joint Committee formed under its directions on 25 September 2025 had been given one month to conduct a field inquiry and file its findings.

The Collector of Jajpur was designated as the nodal officer responsible for coordination, with the Committee comprising officials from the District Mining Office, Dharmasala tehsil administration, and other relevant departments.

The Tribunal noted that no report had been submitted, and no request for extension had been made on behalf of the Committee. The omission led to “inconvenience and unnecessary delay” in the disposal of the two connected cases, both relating to alleged illegal extraction at Bajabati hill, stated the bench.

Rs 10,000 to be deposited within 15 days

Citing delay and non-compliance, the Bench ordered the Collector to deposit Rs 10,000 with the Registrar of the NGT’s Eastern Zone Bench within 15 days.

The Tribunal also directed that the pending joint Committee report be filed within four weeks. It further held that failure to submit the report within the extended timeline would require the Collector to physically appear before the Tribunal to explain the non-compliance.

NGT Team Had Already Conducted Field Visit

Before issuing the notice and subsequent fine, an NGT team had visited Bajabati hill to examine complaints alleging unauthorised mining activity under Dharmasala tehsil.

These inspections formed the basis for the Tribunal’s direction to the district administration to conduct a coordinated field assessment and submit an official report on the status of mining operations, regulatory oversight, and compliance measures.

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Impleadment Application Allowed

In the same order, the Tribunal allowed Rakesh Kumar Jena and Ranajeet Keshari Jena to be impleaded as co-applicants, subject to the condition that they will not file separate pleadings.

The Tribunal also granted six weeks to respondents numbered 1 to 11, 13, 15 and 16 to file their responses. The matter has been posted for further hearing on January 16, 2026.

As of the time of this report, the Jajpur Collector’s office has not issued any statement regarding the NGT’s order or the reasons for the delayed submission of the Joint Committee’s findings.