Directorate of Mines and Geology reported revenues of Rs 1.62 crore for the financial year 2016-17. This is a significant jump from the revenues of Rs 23.91 Lakhs reported in the previous financial year.

The significant rise in revenues can be attributed to the strict check on illegal mining activities in the state. As per Madhusudhan Paliwal, Superintendent Engineer, vigilance at mines directorate, there were a total of 337 cases of illegal mining, transport and stock holding reported in 2016-17. This he said led to the significant jump in revenues and it is well above the revenues reported in previous 5 years.

Mining department had reported revenue of Rs 23.91 Lakhs(2015-16),Rs 44.32 Lakhs(2014-15), Rs and 11.84 Lakhs(2013-14) in the preceding three years.

The department had formed eight squads of conducting sudden raids in mines and in turn had seized 5 JCB machines and many offenders over the past few months.

Readers may note that ACB had arrested IAS Officer Ashok Singhvi, mining baron Sher Khan and others in corruption racket running in state.