RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh govt has directed district collectors that they will be held personally responsible if illegal sand mining, transportation or storage is detected in their areas, with the mineral resources department directing stricter enforcement of zero-tolerance policy on mineral-related offenses. Secretary to CM and secretary, mineral resources department, P Dayanand, issued the warning on Friday during a virtual review meeting with collectors of 11 major sand-supplying districts — Raipur, Bilaspur, Balodabazar, Janjgir-Champa, Sakti, Mahasamund, Gariaband, Dhamtari, Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Baikunthpur, Balrampur and Kanker. Dayanand directed collectors to ensure there is no shortage of sand in the state and that all approved sand mines operate as per capacity so that the public can get sand at reasonable rates. He also asked districts to strictly comply with the order for royalty-free sand supply to beneficiaries of PM Awas Yojana, while ensuring that illegal mining is not carried out under its cover.Reviewing the auction process, Dayanand noted that Gariyaband, Kanker and Janjgir-Champa had completed more than 100% of their auction targets, while Dhamtari, Bilaspur and Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Baikunthpur were lagging. Expressing displeasure, he asked the collectors concerned to immediately auction the remaining mines and complete mining plans and environmental clearances for auctioned sites on priority.The secretary also directed officials to identify illegal mining zones, act swiftly on complaints and step up enforcement. Dayanand said if the mineral department’s central flying squad is forced to act in a district, it would be treated as negligence by the district administration.The secretary said drone surveys and central flying squad inspections would be used to detect illegal mining. If violations are found, responsibility will be fixed on the district collector and mineral officials, and strict action will follow.
