The mines department has given a checklist for a campaign against illegal mining from January 15-31, 2024. Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant has given clear guidelines and instructions to officers, like District Collectors and SPs, to make sure it's successful. He wants to stop illegal mining by making different departments work together better. He told them to take strong action against the people doing illegal mining. They have decided that the mines, revenue, transport, police and forest departments will work together under the direction of the collectors to stop illegal mining.

Mines secretary Anandi mentioned that to make the campaign work well, the mines department officials need to create a good plan within 24 hours. They should have a meeting with the district-level team, led by the district collectors, to do this. The collectors need to send a report every day about what they did. They will have a meeting every day to talk about it. They will also make a plan for the next day by working together with the other departments.

If the company or individual involved in illegal mining fails to submit the compounded amount and the penalty specified by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) within three days, the relevant officer will file a first information report with the police. Likewise, if the compounded amount is not remitted within a 90-day period, the respective mining engineer will initiate measures to seize the relevant vehicles, machinery, tools, etc.

Throughout the campaign, minerals that were previously confiscated will undergo auction. District collectors will assess the status of pending first information reports (FIRs) related to illegal mining activities.

As per the checklist provided by the state government, if there is an instance of illegal mining on Khatedari land, the concerned revenue officer will submit the proposal for Khatedari cancellation to the district collector.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, during a review of the Mines Department's operations on January 11, voiced significant apprehension regarding illegal mining in the state. He instructed authorities to take rigorous measures against the mining mafia and to eradicate illegal mining activities entirely through an ongoing campaign.

Source: Times Of India