Strict action being ensured to curb illegal mining

Shimla, May 01 –  Illegal mining of sand, gravel and stone/boulders without payment of requisite royalty/taxes to the state government, not only results in environmental degradation but also causes huge losses to the State exchequer. Thus, to check this menace, the State Government has set up Task Force to control illegal mining and review the action taken by member departments for checking the illegal mining activities at different levels.

       The State Government is also trying to increase revenue through scientific mining, but at the same time it is also serious about curbing illegal mining. To prevent evasion of royalty and for simplification of Form W/X, the same will be linked with M-Parivahan Portal. Related departments like Public Works Department, Jal Shakti Department and Pollution Control Board etc. will also be linked with this portal. This will prevent illegal mining and curb revenue loss.

         The State Government has deployed ‘Flying Squads’ at different places to curb illegal mining in border areas. The mining staff is conducting raids in such areas during odd hours to check illegal mining in these industrial belts such as Baddi, Brotiwala and Nalagarh area. Mining Departmental officials are dismantling illegal roads carved out by the mining mafia at the inter-state borders to check illegal mining. The mining staff is conducting raids in such areas during odd hours to check illegal mining in these industrial belts.

       The state government has taken strict action against the illegal storage of minor minerals in the district and being sold by unauthorized dealers. Gram Panchayats Pradhans are being sensitized about the consequences of illegal mining and the procedure of grant of mining lease over private land and also about Village Common Land (vesting and utilisation) Act 1974.

        The department has also initiated the process to identify private land being used for the extraction of illegal minerals by the locals in the Baddi, Barotiwala and Nalagarh Development Authority area. As soon as the demarcation of this land by the revenue is completed higher penalty up to 5 lakh as per Himachal Pradesh Minor Mineral Rules 2015 shall be imposed on those involved in illegal mining activities.