Satya Nayak
Fly Ash Dumping Scandal Rocks Jharsuguda; DAA Officials Under Scanner
• Jharsuguda Enquiry Flags Massive Illegal Fly Ash Dumping, ₹1 Crore Fraud Angle
• Fly Ash Dumping at Core of Jharsuguda Fraud, Says District Enquiry Panel
Jharsuguda, 03/04/2026: A high-level district enquiry has uncovered a large-scale scandal involving illegal mineral excavation, unauthorised fly ash dumping, and alleged financial irregularities exceeding ₹1 crore, with former office bearers of the District Athletic Association (DAA) coming under scrutiny.
The probe, led by the Additional District Magistrate (Revenue), points to what officials have described as a “criminal conspiracy” that not only caused extensive environmental degradation but also exposed serious institutional lapses within the DAA.
Probe Triggered by Public Complaints
The investigation was initiated following grievance petitions filed in January 2026 by Mangal Oram, Clement Ronald, and Manas Sinha. Acting on a preliminary technical assessment, the district administration constituted a formal enquiry committee on February 2, 2026.
The panel included the Sub-Collector, District Sports Officer, and an Additional Superintendent of Police, indicating the seriousness of the allegations.
Ground Verification Reveals Larger Damage
A physical inspection conducted on February 24 painted a far grimmer picture than initially anticipated. The committee found that both the scale of illegal mineral extraction and the degradation of government land were significantly underestimated in earlier reports.
Large quantities of fly ash had also been dumped without authorisation, posing immediate environmental and public health risks in the area.
Key Evidence and Contradictions
During hearings held later in February, petitioners directly accused former DAA office bearers — Tapas Ray Choudhary & Others — of orchestrating the illegal activities ahead of the 2024 General Elections.
The enquiry recorded several critical pieces of evidence:
• Digital Admission: A WhatsApp screenshot submitted by petitioner Manas Sinha allegedly shows Tapas Ray Choudhary admitting involvement in the operations.
• Internal Contradiction: While the accused denied legal custody of the land, official minutes from a DAA meeting dated January 20, 2025, stated that “90% of work is completed,” contradicting their claims.
• Financial Trail: Petitioners alleged a ₹2 lakh transfer to the DAA account from a fly ash dumping agency. However, a sub-committee audit conducted on March 19 did not find a corresponding bank entry.
Institutional Collapse and Legal Violations
The committee’s findings indicate a systemic breakdown within the DAA, noting that the “crust and character” of the land had been altered through coordinated actions involving key office bearers, including the then Secretary.
Multiple legal violations have been flagged, including breaches under:
• The Odisha Minor Mineral Concession (OMMC) Rules, 2016
• The Air and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Acts
• Relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections dealing with theft, criminal conspiracy, and organised crime
In a sharp observation, the committee noted that the DAA’s existing bye-laws are “obsolete, outdated and conventional,” calling for urgent reforms.
Recommendations: FIRs, Audit, Wider Probe
In its final report dated March 21, 2026, the committee has recommended a series of stringent actions:
• Criminal Proceedings: The Tahasildar and Mining Officer have been directed to assess penalties, recover dues, and lodge FIRs against the individuals involved.
• Financial Audit: A comprehensive audit of DAA’s accounts from 2015 onwards has been ordered to determine the full extent of alleged misappropriation.
• Expanded Investigation: Inputs shared confidentially by committee members and civil society groups suggest that a deeper probe by the Economic Offences Wing may be warranted.
The report has been submitted to the district Collector and the State Pollution Control Board for immediate action. Officials indicated that further administrative and legal proceedings are expected in the coming weeks as authorities examine the findings.
The case, combining allegations of environmental violations, financial misconduct, and criminal conspiracy, is likely to have significant administrative and legal repercussions in the district.
