PONDA: The illegal laterite stone quarrying has been going on unabated in Kirlapal and Dharbandora panchayat jurisdiction as government officials who would otherwise keep a vigil on the area have been posted on additional duties for National Games.
Locals allege that the laterite stones are mined from dusk to the wee hours of dawn and charged that the illegal activities have resumed because most of the government officials have been deputed on given extra duty due to the National Games.
The illegal stone mining had stopped about a month ago after the media highlighted the issue.
“The loud noise of the power tiller machines ruins people’s sleep. Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant should pay more attention to this as government officials are not taking any action against the persons involved,” said a local on the condition of anonymity.
As per reliable sources, there are around 50 power tillers active on the sites along with specially arranged generators. Some mine owners had hidden the machines and generators in the forest but the operations were resumed soon.
