In a decisive move to combat the rampant illegal transportation of minerals, the Maharashtra government has announced stringent new measures that will see vehicles being penalized on the spot. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule issued the directive on Wednesday, intensifying the state's crackdown on this illicit trade.
Three-Tier Penalty System for Offending Vehicles
The state government has activated a strict, three-tier penalty system under Section 86 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Any vehicle caught for the first time illegally transporting sand or other minor minerals will be immediately impounded, and its permit will be suspended for 30 days. If the same vehicle is caught a second time, the impounding period will be accompanied by a longer permit suspension of 60 days.
The most severe action is reserved for repeat offenders. The permit of any vehicle involved in this illegal activity for a third time will be permanently cancelled. Furthermore, the vehicle itself will be seized by the Regional Transport Authority, putting it out of commission for good.
Wide Range of Vehicles Now Under Scrutiny
The government's directive casts a wide net, covering a comprehensive list of machinery and transport vehicles commonly used in mining and logistics. The order specifically targets:
JCBs, Poklands, excavators, drill machines, dumpers, and mechanized loaders. It also includes full-body and half-body trucks, tractors with trolleys, trawlers, barges, motorised boats, and compressors. This broad coverage aims to disrupt the entire supply chain of illegal mineral extraction and transport.
A Stern Warning Against Environmental and Revenue Loot
Minister Bawankule left no room for ambiguity regarding the government's stance. He stated that the plunder of government revenue and the wanton destruction of the environment will no longer be tolerated. "Those who deliberately indulge in this crime will now pay a heavy price," the minister warned.
The crackdown comes in response to two major issues: the massive financial loss to the state exchequer and the severe environmental degradation caused by unchecked mining. The government has also acknowledged alarming incidents where the lives of enforcement officers and staff were endangered during raids.
To ensure real-time enforcement, field officers of the Revenue Department have been instructed to instantly alert the Transport Department the moment an offending vehicle is detected. This seamless coordination is designed to enable immediate permit cancellation and seizure, leaving no window for offenders to escape the new rules.
