Odisha govt suspends Tahasildar for alleged complicity in sand smuggling

Baripada/Bhubaneswar: The State government today suspended Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officer Mamtaj Moharana with immediate effect for her alleged involvement in sand smuggling from the Budhabalanga riverbed in Mayurbhanj district.

Moharana, who works as Tahasildar of Badasahi in Mayurbhanj district, has been asked to report at the District Collectorate during the period of suspension.

Official sources stated Moharana cannot leave the District Collectorate without obtaining prior permission of the Collector, Mayurbhanj. She will be entitled to the payment of subsistence allowance in accordance with Rule-30 of the Odisha Service Code.

Earlier, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had slammed the State government over sand smuggling from Arapata and Dingiri ghat of Budhabalanga river under Badasahi Tahasil.

The Mayurbhanj district administration had recommended the State government to suspend the Tahasildar.

On basis of a complaint lodged by the district administration, the police have arrested leaseholder Pradeep Bindhani.