Sai Govt tightens noose on mining mafia; 1,747 cases registered, Rs 6.49 crore recovered in two months

Higher penalties and statewide crackdown intensify action against illegal mining, transport and storage

Raipur 25,June, 2026/
Chhattisgarh government’s crackdown on illegal mining gathers pace. Authorities registered 1,747 cases and recovered over Rs 6.49 crore in penalties across Chhattisgarh during April and May 2026.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai’s tough administrative stance against illegal mining is beginning to show results. Of the total cases registered, 1,487 involved illegal transportation, 231 related to illegal excavation and 29 were linked to illegal storage.

As per mining department officials, Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara recorded the highest number of illegal excavation cases at 44, followed by Raipur (15), Kabirdham (14) and Balod (14).

In illegal transportation, Raipur topped the state with 173 cases, followed by Janjgir-Champa (162), Bilaspur (101) and Dhamtari (101). Raipur also reported the highest number of illegal storage cases at eight, while Dantewada recorded four and Kanker and Bilaspur three each.

Dantewada led the state in penalty recovery from illegal excavation, collecting Rs 55.32 lakh. Raipur recorded the highest recovery from illegal transportation at Rs 54.69 lakh and also topped collections from illegal storage with Rs 12.58 lakh. Overall, Raipur emerged as the highest penalty collection district from enforcement action.

The crackdown comes alongside major amendments to the Minor Mineral Rules approved by the state government under Shri Vishnu Deo Sai’s leadership. The revised provisions have significantly increased penalties and tightened enforcement mechanisms.

Under the amended rules, the minimum compounding amount in any case has been fixed at Rs 25,000. Illegal transportation now attracts a compounding fee of Rs 2,000 per tonne in addition to recovery of the full value of the illegally transported mineral. Tractor operators caught transporting sand illegally will also face a minimum penalty of Rs 25,000 along with payment of the mineral’s value.

To prevent repeat violations, stricter conditions have been imposed for the release of seized vehicles, machinery and equipment. Security deposits ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 3 lakh, depending on the category of the vehicle, must now be deposited before the concerned court prior to release.

Shri Vishnu Deo Sai has maintained that plunder of the state’s mineral wealth will not be tolerated under any circumstances.