Bhubaneswar: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has directed the state government to examine allegations of illegal mining at Gayabandha laterite stone quarry in Khordha district and submit an action-taken report (ATR), sources said. The clearance was later transferred to leaseholder Prahallad Biswal, who obtained the required Consent to Operate (CTO) from the OSPCB, and a mining lease valid until April 24, 2027. Mohanty alleged that although official records show regular production and dispatch of laterite stone between 2022-23 and 2025-26, satellite imagery indicates no mining activity in the lease area. He also said more than 1,500 transit passes (Y-Forms) were issued despite the alleged absence of mining within the lease boundary. These transit passes were allegedly used to transport laterite stone extracted from adjoining areas while the production was shown against the authorised quarry.