The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday called for the immediate dismissal of Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena from the Council of Ministers, alleging his complicity in the theft of minor minerals.
During a press conference held in Bhubaneswar, BJD spokesperson and Media Coordinator Dr. Lenin Mohanty alleged that incidents of sand and mineral theft have risen alarmingly since the BJP took office in the state.
Mohanty asserted that the regional party has consistently maintained that these illegal activities are occurring under the direct patronage of the ruling administration.
“As a result of theft carried out under government patronage, revenue from minor minerals, which stood at Rs 1,485 crore in 2023–24, has declined sharply to Rs 600 crore in 2024–25. Similarly, revenue from major minerals has fallen from Rs 50,000 crore to Rs 34,000 crore,” Mohanty alleged.
The senior BJD leader further stated that while the regional party has repeatedly flagged these thefts to the state government and sought strict intervention, no action has been taken.
Citing recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids at the residences of sand and black stone mafias in Ganjam district, the BJD spokesperson claimed the operation established a clear link between the Mines Minister’s official representative and the illegal trade.
“In a letter signed by the Mines Minister himself and addressed to the District Collector, Sunil Patra was officially recognised as his representative in the Mining, Police, and Court departments. After Sunil Patra’s involvement in sand theft was exposed in the ED raid, it has become clear that the minister has direct involvement in this theft,” alleged Mohanty.
The BJD spokesperson further demanded Jena’s immediate removal from the cabinet, asserting that the ED raids have laid bare his role in mineral theft. He further challenged Chief Minister Majhi to dismiss Jena as a test of his administration’s integrity.
