Admin smells a rat, stops sand cargo by way of Paradip port 

Express News Service

PARADIP:  The district administration on Friday stopped export of sand from Paradip port after discrepancies in its sand cargo got here to the fore. Sources stated a Panama-based vessel anchored on the Paradip port was scheduled to berth within the port harbour on July 29 for cargo of 23,000 tonne of sand. The sand was to be shipped by a transporting company primarily based in Chennai.

Last month, social activist Achyut Mohanty had sought data relating to the unlawful export of sand from the port by way of Right to Information Act throughout which the visitors division of Paradip Port Authority (PPA) revealed that the Chennai-based firm had exported a complete of 41,900 tonne sand on two events from December 1, 2022, to April 18, 2023. 

However, no data had but been supplied relating to the export of one other 23,000 tonne of sand by the visitors division of PPA. This led to suspicion that the sand might have been smuggled illegally with out clearance from the native tehsildar and the administration.  

Mohanty had submitted a memorandum to collector Parul Patwari and Kujang tehsildar Pritiparana Mishra demanding an inquiry into the export of sand to international international locations within the identify of interstate transportation. Sources stated it’s obligatory to take clearance from the native tehsildar and administration earlier than transporting sand from Paradip port. 

After receiving the allegations, a crew led by tehsildar Mishra had a gathering with the PPA officers. Later they reached the port and after due inquiry, cancelled cargo of the stated quantity of sand till a clearance certificates was supplied by PPA authorities. 

Additional district Justice of the Peace, Paradip, Lagnajit Rout knowledgeable prime facie proof confirmed there have been irregularities within the export of sand by way of vessels in Paradip port. “During the inquiry, it was found that huge quantities of sand had been lifted from different sand quarries in Cuttack and Kendrapara districts. However, no sand had yet been lifted from Jagatsinghpur district. We verified ‘Y’ form for lifting of sand but found photocopy of ‘Y’ form. Besides, a few original ‘Y’ forms were found to be illegal,” he added.

He knowledgeable that the administration has requested for clearance and paperwork from tehsildars involved and collectors for the export of sand. Till then, the cargo of sand by way of vessels in Paradip port was stopped. 

Paradip Port Trust sources stated PPA had no involvement within the matter and the corporate which transported the sand must furnish paperwork. “Said vessel is now in anchorage area will not be berthed in port without obtaining the documents,” they added.

PARADIP:  The district administration on Friday stopped export of sand from Paradip port after discrepancies in its sand cargo got here to the fore. Sources stated a Panama-based vessel anchored on the Paradip port was scheduled to berth within the port harbour on July 29 for cargo of 23,000 tonne of sand. The sand was to be shipped by a transporting company primarily based in Chennai.

Last month, social activist Achyut Mohanty had sought data relating to the unlawful export of sand from the port by way of Right to Information Act throughout which the visitors division of Paradip Port Authority (PPA) revealed that the Chennai-based firm had exported a complete of 41,900 tonne sand on two events from December 1, 2022, to April 18, 2023. 

However, no data had but been supplied relating to the export of one other 23,000 tonne of sand by the visitors division of PPA. This led to suspicion that the sand might have been smuggled illegally with out clearance from the native tehsildar and the administration.  googletag.cmd.push(operate() googletag.show(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

Mohanty had submitted a memorandum to collector Parul Patwari and Kujang tehsildar Pritiparana Mishra demanding an inquiry into the export of sand to international international locations within the identify of interstate transportation. Sources stated it’s obligatory to take clearance from the native tehsildar and administration earlier than transporting sand from Paradip port. 

After receiving the allegations, a crew led by tehsildar Mishra had a gathering with the PPA officers. Later they reached the port and after due inquiry, cancelled cargo of the stated quantity of sand till a clearance certificates was supplied by PPA authorities. 

Additional district Justice of the Peace, Paradip, Lagnajit Rout knowledgeable prime facie proof confirmed there have been irregularities within the export of sand by way of vessels in Paradip port. “During the inquiry, it was found that huge quantities of sand had been lifted from different sand quarries in Cuttack and Kendrapara districts. However, no sand had yet been lifted from Jagatsinghpur district. We verified ‘Y’ form for lifting of sand but found photocopy of ‘Y’ form. Besides, a few original ‘Y’ forms were found to be illegal,” he added.

He knowledgeable that the administration has requested for clearance and paperwork from tehsildars involved and collectors for the export of sand. Till then, the cargo of sand by way of vessels in Paradip port was stopped. 

Paradip Port Trust sources stated PPA had no involvement within the matter and the corporate which transported the sand must furnish paperwork. “Said vessel is now in anchorage area will not be berthed in port without obtaining the documents,” they added.