RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh government has issued a stern directive to district collectors, holding them personally accountable if illegal sand mining, transportation, or storage is detected in their jurisdictions. The mineral resources department has ordered stricter enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy against mineral-related offences.
Warning Issued in Virtual Review Meeting
Secretary to the Chief Minister and Secretary of the Mineral Resources Department, P Dayanand, issued the warning on Friday during a virtual review meeting with collectors from 11 major sand-supplying districts. These districts include Raipur, Bilaspur, Balodabazar, Janjgir-Champa, Sakti, Mahasamund, Gariaband, Dhamtari, Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Baikunthpur, Balrampur, and Kanker.
Key Directives to Collectors
Dayanand directed the collectors to ensure there is no shortage of sand in the state and that all approved sand mines operate at full capacity. This is to enable the public to obtain sand at reasonable rates. He also emphasized strict compliance with the order for royalty-free sand supply to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, while ensuring that illegal mining is not carried out under its cover.
Auction Performance Reviewed
Reviewing the auction process, Dayanand noted that Gariyaband, Kanker, and Janjgir-Champa had exceeded 100% of their auction targets. However, Dhamtari, Bilaspur, and Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Baikunthpur were lagging behind. Expressing displeasure, he instructed the concerned collectors to immediately auction the remaining mines and prioritize completing mining plans and environmental clearances for auctioned sites.
Enforcement Measures and Penalties
The secretary also directed officials to identify illegal mining zones, act swiftly on complaints, and step up enforcement. Dayanand warned that if the mineral department's central flying squad is forced to intervene in a district, it would be considered negligence by the district administration. He stated that drone surveys and central flying squad inspections would be used to detect illegal mining. If violations are found, responsibility will be fixed on the district collector and mineral officials, and strict action will follow.
This move underscores the government's commitment to curbing illegal sand mining and ensuring transparent operations in the mineral sector.
