Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The assistant chief secretary of the steel and mines department and a local contractor from Jajpur were given notice by the Lokayukta in Odisha on Thursday to submit their opinions and comments in a case involving the May 31 deaths of two employees within an illegal quarry in the Jajpur district. When unlawful quarrying was taking place, the hilltop collapsed, killing the workmen Appu Raut and Shantanu Khilar. The Times of India published this article on June 1st. After reading the media reports and hearing the issue, the Lokayukta took suo motu cognizance of the case.
The director of vigilance was first tasked by the Lokayukta with conducting a preliminary investigation into the situation. The director of vigilance turned in his report on September 25. It had made mention of a man named Gangadhar Ojha who was reportedly carrying out illegal quarrying at the neighborhood’s Jenapur police station.
Despite the presence of government representatives in the Jenapur region, Lokayukta highlighted some concerns over the unlawful mining of black stone. The senior officer and Ojha were instructed by Lokayukta to give their opinions within six weeks. On November 23, the matter will go on the docket.
