5 illegal mining cases daily since 2019 in Haryana

Haryana witnessed over five illegal mining cases per day since April 1, 2019, leading to the recovery of Rs 345.74 crore in penalties. A total of 10,676 cases were registered from April 1, 2019 to October 31, 2024, according to the Economic Survey of Haryana.

The maximum number of cases were seen in 2020-21 and 2021-22, with 3,515 and 2,192 cases being registered, respectively.

The Economic Survey-2024-25, tabled in the Vidhan Sabha on March 17, says that apart from checking by the Department of the Mines and Geology, officials of the Forest and Transport departments, Pollution Control Board and the police also take steps to curb illegal mining. Even vehicles used for the transportation of minerals from the adjoining states without valid supporting documents are dealt with as per provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957, by imposing penalties.

From August 28, 2019, to November 30, 2024, as many as 13,118 vehicles were seized, implying a seizure of close to seven vehicles per day in the state. A penalty of Rs 185.81 crore has been realised. The maximum number of vehicles — 2,815 — were seized from Yamunanagar, followed by Gurugram and Nuh (1,637), Faridabad and Palwal (1,366), Mahendragarh (1,309), Panchkula (1,054) and Ambala (979).

The survey says that presently only 42 mines are under operation while seven licences have been suspended with four in Yamunanagar, and one each in Panchkula, Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri.

The revenue collection of the department has been going down. In 2019-20, it was Rs 702.25 crore, which jumped to Rs 1,019.94 crore in 2020-21. It fell to Rs 838.34 crore in 2021-22 and was Rs 837.02 crore in 2022-23. In 2023-24, it dipped to Rs 814.77 crore.

Till January 30, 2025, the revenue was a mere Rs 580.18 crore.

“Of the 110 mining blocks, only 62 were auctioned in the past. Unauctioned blocks not only lead to a loss of revenue but also illegal mining,” said Ambala Congress MP Varun Chaudhary.

As per the existing provisions, the mines in operation are liable to contribute an additional 7.5 per cent to the Mines and Mineral Restoration and Rehabilitation Fund, while the state also pays 2.5 per cent. The fund is used to help the people and areas affected by mining.

As per the reply of the government to a question in the Vidhan Sabha, from 2020-21 to 2024-25, Rs 126.71 crore was collected but only Rs 80.63 crore was spent from the District Mineral Foundation Fund.

In Panchkula, of the Rs 6.91 crore collected, a mere Rs 1.21 crore was spent, and nothing was spent from 2021-22 to 2024-25. Not a single penny has been spent in Palwal, Ambala and Rewari.

In Bhiwani, Rs 11.24 crore was collected in the last five years but a mere Rs 7.48 lakh was spent. In Yamunanagar, of the Rs 20.40 crore collected, only Rs 3.89 crore was spent.

“The state gets revenue and the miner gets minerals but the villages where mining takes place bear all problems like dust, poor roads, etc. It is a pain to note that the fund is not being utilised fully and the administration is just making FDs in banks,” said Chaudhary.