Stop illegal mining, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann tells DCs

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Chandigarh, February 1

Amid concerns over the slow revenue receipts from sand and gravel mining in Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has asked all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) in the state to ensure that no “illegal mining” is being done in the areas under their respective jurisdiction.

Take immediate action

I am the boss … and these are my direct orders to you. You are not to listen to anyone. Take immediate action against those involved in illegal mining. — Bhagwant Mann, Chief Minister

During a meeting with all DCs yesterday, Mann reportedly asked them to ensure that no illegal mining was carried out in their respective districts. “I am the boss … and these are my direct orders to you. You are not to listen to anyone and take immediate action against anyone involved in illegal mining,” the CM is learnt to have told the district administrative heads.

The concerns raised by the CM are in the backdrop of allegations by Opposition party leaders about illegal mining operations being carried out in different parts of the state.

The Punjab State Minor Mineral Mining Policy, 2023, provided for electronic surveillance and geo-tagging of mines. The Comptroller and Auditor General in its annual review report said this was not done. However, Mines and Geology Department claims that the geo-tagging and geo-fencing were in place before the start of mining operations.

While evaluating the revenue from the mining operations in the state, the CM is learnt to have asked the Department of Mines to ensure higher income after all illegal mining activities are brought to an end.

Official sources in the Mining Department said the income from mining this year had crossed Rs 225.50 crore. It was expected to cross Rs 300 crore by the end of this fiscal, they said. In 2022-23, the revenue from mining was Rs 247 crore.

“The income has increased in spite of the fact that the department has already surrendered 50 per cent of the area for mining to the Water Resources Department,” said a top officer in the Mining Department. Mining sand in river beds was allowed as part of desilting process, but it was banned by the Punjab and Haryana High Court last year. Sources say that had this continued, the income from mining would have gone up by Rs 450 crore.

The government now proposes to increase the public mining sites by 10. As of now, there are 54 public mining sites operational in the state. Once approved by the CM, these public mining sites would increase the supply of sand and gravel and revenue earned from their sale.

Other than this, the environmental clearance for starting mining operations at 40 new sites is expected this month. This too would lead to additional income from the mining operations.