Latest news with #Pujari
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Odisha revenue minister assures action against sand mafia
BHUBANESWAR : Revenue minister Suresh Pujari on Saturday said Odisha would not be allowed to follow the lawless path in sand operations like it is in Bihar and West Bengal, while responding to the recent assault of an additional tehsildar in Kaptipada block, Mayurbhanj district, by the sand mafia. He promised stringent action against the sand mafia regardless of their connections, while speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday. "The Kaptipada incident represents a serious escalation in conflict between law enforcement and the sand mafia. The attack on officers performing their enforcement duties is similar to Bihar and West Bengal, where criminals challenge state authority. The administration's commitment in curbing illegal sand trafficking faces violent resistance from well-organised criminal networks. We pledged decisive action against both the direct perpetrators and their masterminds," said Pujari. This zero-tolerance approach signals a strong message that such attacks on govt officials will not be tolerated. The incident serves as a watershed moment in the ongoing battle against illegal sand mining operations, officials said. Kaptipada additional tehsildar Bhimakanta Majhi suffered injuries after an attack by the sand mafia near Suno river bed on Monday morning. In the incident, Majhi's car was damaged. Majhi, based on intelligence reports, went to inspect sand being lifted illegally using excavators. When he opposed it, he was attacked. Police said the miscreants, mostly goons of the sand mafia, intercepted Majhi's car and tried to stop him from venturing into the sand lifting site in the river bed. Pujari announced free sand provision for Pradhan Mantri Awas beneficiaries, with a draft standard operating procedure (SOP) already in preparation to streamline the process. "The most important thing is how to facilitate the supply of sand at low cost to the lower middle class and poor. We will introduce the provision of issuing permits to beneficiaries of PM Awas to lift at least two tractor fulls of sand for free for construction of houses. The PM Awas will be free from the sand cost burden," Pujari told reporters. BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty commented that the minister's statements are merely an attempt to whitewash the obvious collusion between administration officials and the mining mafia. "Instead of taking concrete action, the minister has limited himself to making empty rhetoric," he said. Mohanty said there has been a drastic decline in revenue from minor minerals from Rs 1,485 crore in 2023-24 to just Rs 600 crore in 2024-25.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
PMAY beneficiaries to get two tractor-loads of sand free: Odisha Min Pujari
BHUBANESWAR: In a move to reduce financial burden of the poor and low income group people, especially beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), the state government on Saturday announced to provide two tractor-loads of sand free of cost for house construction. Informing the decision, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari told mediapersons that a proposal is also being drafted to ensure supply of sand to people at reasonable rates for house construction. 'The government has decided to issue permit to poor and low income group people to get sand free of cost ensuring that affordable housing becomes a reality. This will reduce the construction cost of the poor people especially the PMAY beneficiaries,' the minister said. At the same time, sand prices will be regulated to make it affordable for different income groups who depend on local suppliers and dealers, mostly dominated by the sand mafia. 'Illegal mining of sand from riverbed by sand mafia and sometime by the Water Resources department for general purpose, and transportation of sand using heavy vehicles like Hyva trucks are the other areas of concern. The government will take a call on the two issues soon,' Pujari said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pujari assures action against sand mafia
Bhubaneswar: Revenue minister Suresh Pujari on Saturday said Odisha would not be allowed to follow the lawless path in sand operations like it is in Bihar and West Bengal, while responding to the recent assault of an additional tehsildar in Kaptipada block, Mayurbhanj district, by the sand mafia. He promised stringent action against the sand mafia regardless of their connections, while speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday. "The Kaptipada incident represents a serious escalation in conflict between law enforcement and the sand mafia. The attack on officers performing their enforcement duties is similar to Bihar and West Bengal, where criminals challenge state authority. The administration's commitment in curbing illegal sand trafficking faces violent resistance from well-organised criminal networks. We pledged decisive action against both the direct perpetrators and their masterminds," said Pujari. This zero-tolerance approach signals a strong message that such attacks on govt officials will not be tolerated. The incident serves as a watershed moment in the ongoing battle against illegal sand mining operations, officials said. Kaptipada additional tehsildar Bhimakanta Majhi suffered injuries after an attack by the sand mafia near Suno river bed on Monday morning. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Keep Your Home Efficient with This Plug-In elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo In the incident, Majhi's car was damaged. Majhi, based on intelligence reports, went to inspect sand being lifted illegally using excavators. When he opposed it, he was attacked. Police said the miscreants, mostly goons of the sand mafia, intercepted Majhi's car and tried to stop him from venturing into the sand lifting site in the river bed. Pujari announced free sand provision for Pradhan Mantri Awas beneficiaries, with a draft standard operating procedure (SOP) already in preparation to streamline the process. "The most important thing is how to facilitate the supply of sand at low cost to the lower middle class and poor. We will introduce the provision of issuing permits to beneficiaries of PM Awas to lift at least two tractor fulls of sand for free for construction of houses. The PM Awas will be free from the sand cost burden," Pujari told reporters. BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty commented that the minister's statements are merely an attempt to whitewash the obvious collusion between administration officials and the mining mafia. "Instead of taking concrete action, the minister has limited himself to making empty rhetoric," he said. Mohanty said there has been a drastic decline in revenue from minor minerals from Rs 1,485 crore in 2023-24 to just Rs 600 crore in 2024-25.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt committed to win people's heart in Kotia: Pujari
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari on Friday asserted the govt is committed to winning the hearts of the people in the disputed Kotia region, for which Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have been in a legal tussle over jurisdiction for over six decades. Pujari, who leads a newly formed 16-member committee dedicated to the development of Kotia, chaired the panel's inaugural meeting. "A comprehensive road map for the region's all-round development will be prepared within a month. The govt aims to ensure that the people of Kotia have access to quality education, healthcare and market linkages for local farmers and traders," he said. "Some of the decisions taken by the committee can't be made public at this stage. However, people would see its outcome in the days to come," Pujari stated, emphasising that Kotia is an inseparable part of Odisha. He assured that the govt is committed to doing everything necessary to win the people's hearts. The meeting also reviewed steps taken by the previous BJD govt and called for an action taken report on recommendations from a House committee that previously visited Kotia. The minister highlighted the need to review the legal position and pending cases to bring the dispute to a logical conclusion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like People Born 1940-1975 With No Life Insurance Could Be Eligible For This Reassured Get Quote Undo The committee, formed on May 23, marks a significant step towards addressing the long-standing border dispute. Pujari emphasised the focus on developing the neglected region while promoting 'Odia Asmita' and resolving the dispute. He acknowledged the complexity of the issue but expressed confidence in finding a lasting solution. The Kotia dispute, dating back to the 1960s, involves 21 of 28 villages with a population of around 5,000. Odisha filed a petition in Supreme Court in 2021 against Andhra Pradesh for violating a 1968 status quo order. The SC previously ruled in 2006 that only Parliament could determine states' territorial jurisdictions. The Pujari-led committee has been tasked with recommending steps for Kotia's development and the structure of an integrated development agency for the area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
AEC gets Pujari's custody in 1 crore extortion case
Mumbai: The Anti-Extortion Cell of Mumbai Crime Branch has obtained the custody of extradited gangster Suresh Pujari in a case of allegedly demanding Rs 1 crore from a Vakola-based car dealer in 2021. Police said that they want to record Pujari's voice and match with the recorded conversation where the caller threatened the car dealer. Additional chief metropolitan magistrate G R Dhepe said, "The voice sample of the accused is to be taken. The detailed investigation in respect of co-accused is to be carried out and co-accused, if any, are to be arrested. The accused has used an international mobile number to threaten the complainant. The grounds appear to be satisfactory to grant police custody remand." Police claimed Pujari made several threatening calls to the car dealer between March and June 2021, demanding Rs 1 crore. The calls were allegedly made from international numbers which have now been traced during technical surveillance. Police said the complainant had recorded one of the calls on his mobile phone, and this recording was examined in the presence of two panch witnesses, and the voice was identified by the complainant as that of Pujari. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Promoções imperdíveis de voos baratos Voos | Anúncios de Pesquisa Saiba Mais Undo The mobile phone has since been seized as evidence. Pujari is currently lodged in Thane Central Jail in connection with cases under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act and the Arms Act. Of the 31 offences against Pujari, 17 are registered in Mumbai alone. Pujari, who was deported from the Philippines in 2022, hails from Malpe in Karnataka. He allegedly had eight passports in fake names.
