Jamshedpur: Deputy Commissioner Karn Satyarthi criticized the inadequate action taken over the past three months to prevent the illegal mining, transportation, and storage of minerals and ordered show-cause notices to be issued to eight Circle Officers and Police Station House Officers, except those from the Baharagora, Chakulia, and Jamshedpur zones.
Satyarthi stated that in any instance of illegal mining in a particular jurisdiction, accountability will lie directly with the concerned CO and Station House Officer. He further directed them to conduct regular field visits, intensify surveillance, and take strict and sustained action against mining mafias.
This firm directive came during the District Mining Task Force meeting held at the Collectorate auditorium today. The meeting was attended by Senior Superintendent of Police Piyush Pandey, Superintendent of Police (City) Kumar Shivashish, ADM Law and Order Bhagirath Prasad, SDM Dhalbhum Chandrajeet Singh, SDPO Ghatshila Ajit Kujur, CMO Satish Nayak, and other departmental officials. Circle Officers and Police Station Incharges from across the district participated virtually.
During the review, the Deputy Commissioner expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of enforcement by the Block-level Mineral Task Force and related officials. He stressed that the current situation demanded far more stringent monitoring and immediate corrective action. He instructed all Circle Officers and Station House Officers to remain vigilant in their respective zones, ensuring continuous patrolling, surprise inspections, and uncompromising action against those involved in illegal extraction and transportation of minerals.
The Deputy Commissioner directed the District Mining Officer to prevent sand black marketing and initiate a widespread crackdown on illegal stockpiling operations. He also directed the officials to identify hotspots, dismantle unauthorized depots, and take strong legal action against traders and transporters found violating the law. He emphasized improving revenue collection by expediting the auction of seized minor minerals.
To ensure transparency and public cooperation, the Deputy Commissioner said that extensive awareness should be raised on the legal procedure for purchasing sand from licensed stockyards. Citizens should have clear information on approved dealers and authorized sources to prevent exploitation by illegal operators.
Reiterating the administration’s zero-tolerance stance, the Deputy Commissioner warned that any negligence in preventing illegal mining, transportation, or storage would result in strict punitive action against the responsible officials, operators, and vehicle owners. He directed all concerned departments—mining, police, forest, transportation, and pollution control—to maintain coordination and share intelligence to protect mineral resources, safeguard government revenue, and uphold environmental norms.
He stated that protecting mineral wealth and ensuring lawful operations is a collective responsibility. The district administration, he said, is committed to taking tough measures at every level to ensure mining activities remain within the legal framework and operate in the public and state’s interest.
