CG tightens mining rules, raises penalties and vehicle release norms

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh govt has tightened its crackdown on illegal mining by amending the state’s minor mineral rules, introducing steeper penalties, stricter conditions for the release of seized vehicles and a series of reforms aimed at improving enforcement and mineral resource management.The amendments, approved by the state cabinet by chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai, prescribe a minimum compounding fee of Rs 25,000 for all offences related to illegal mining. In cases of illegal transportation, offenders will also have to pay Rs 2,000 per tonne of mineral, besides the full value of the illegally transported material. Tractor operators caught transporting sand illegally will face the same minimum penalty in addition to the cost of the sand, a govt statement said.The govt has also made it tougher to secure the release of vehicles and machinery seized in mining offences. Owners will now have to deposit security amounts ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 3 lakh before the concerned court, depending on the category of the vehicle.In a move aimed at facilitating public infrastructure projects, the permissible excavation area under govt construction works has been increased from one hectare to two hectares, while the validity of excavation permits has been extended from two years to three years.

As per the new rules, the creation of the Chhattisgarh state mineral exploration trust-2025, which will receive 2% of royalty collected from minor minerals. Officials estimate the trust will generate an additional Rs 5.25 crore annually for scientific mineral exploration, said that official statement.Other changes include simplified procedures for amalgamation of mining leases, a uniform system for deduction of royalty and other statutory levies across government construction departments, and extension of revenue-sharing benefits from minor minerals to district panchayats. Dead rent rates for mines have also been revised for the first time in nearly three decades, a move aimed at discouraging inactive leaseholders and making dormant mines available for fresh auction.