Ranchi: Continuous action is being taken against illegal mining in Jharkhand. Mines Department Secretary Abu Bakar Siddikh said that earlier on an average 300 FIRs were registered every year against illegal mining. But for the first time in the history of the state, a total of 1621 FIRs were registered against illegal mining in the year 2022-23. In this financial year 2023-24, in eight months, FIR was lodged against 1357 cases and two lakh 39 thousand 144 tonnes of minerals and 3657 vehicles were seized. Besides, a fine of Rs 10.23 crore has also been imposed.
From sand, ballast to coal seized:
The Mines Department informed that the seized minerals contained large quantities of illegal sand and ballast. Apart from this, illegal coal has also been caught in the coal sector. All this action has also been taken through the team sent by the headquarters along with the Mining Task Force in the district.
Mines surveillance system is being implemented:
To curb illegal mining, the department is implementing Mines Surveillance System for Minor Minerals, which is satellite based. It is being implemented as a pilot project in Godda and Pakur in collaboration with MSS and JSAC. The Mines Secretary has also talked about installing vehicle tracking system in vehicles carrying minerals. He said that with this, illegal mining can be curbed by keeping online records of minerals from mining to transportation, route and destination.
How many FIRs and vehicles seized in which year?
Year-FIR-Seized Vehicle
2018-19-664-3322
2019-20-786-3003
2020-21-308-888
2021-22-309-1082
2022-23-1621-5847
2023-24(till November)-1357-3657