Jamshedpur: The East Singhbhum district administration has intensified its war on illegal mining. During a high-level review at the Collectorate Auditorium, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Karn Satyarthi ordered the District Mining Task Force to maintain a “zero-tolerance” policy against the mining mafia.
Official data reveals a massive enforcement drive this year:
-
Inspections Conducted: 245
-
FIRs Registered: 84
-
Vehicles Seized: 198
-
Fines Collected: ₹68,45,674
Recent Breakthroughs: One Month of Enforcement
In the last 30 days alone, the Task Force raided 25 locations targeting illegal mineral traders. These operations led to the seizure of 839 tons of minerals, including sand, stone chips, and coal.
During this period, officials seized 28 vehicles (including 23 Hyvas and 4 tractors), registered 8 FIRs, and recovered ₹5.52 lakh in fines.
DC Satyarthi Demands Aggressive Action
Despite the numbers, Deputy Commissioner Satyarthi expressed dissatisfaction with the current pace of action at the local level. He pulled up Circle Officers and Police Station In-charges, labeling their efforts “inadequate.”
Key Directives from the Meeting:
-
Target the Kingpins: The DC ordered officials to launch strict operations against major mining mafias.
-
Protect Eco-Sensitive Zones: He reprimanded the Forest Department Ranger for failing to stop illegal mining and crusher units in protected areas, demanding immediate shutdowns.
-
Monitor Logistics: The Task Force will increase vigilance on vehicle registrations and overloading violations.
-
Brick Kiln Crackdown: The Mining Department received orders to penalize unauthorized brick kilns and pollution violators.
“Ensuring mining stays within the legal framework is a collective responsibility,” stated DC Satyarthi. He warned that the administration would take punitive action against any official found negligent in their duties.
High-Level Attendance
Senior Superintendent of Police Piyush Pandey, SDM (Dhalbhum) Arnav Mishra, and District Mining Officer Satish Nayak attended the meeting alongside other top officials. Local Circle Officers and Station In-charges joined the session virtually to receive their new enforcement targets.
