2.67 lakh metric tonnes of minerals stolen (in Kutch), says Mevani
“When I asked what steps have been taken, the state government says no FIR or chargesheet has been filed, nor any arrests made. No person has been convicted. Only notices have been issued,” he added.
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“In reply to a question asked by me during the Question Hour, the government has admitted that 2.67 lakh metric tonne of mineral theft has happened outside the official lease area,” Mevani said during discussion on budgetary demands in the House. Only notices have been issued by the state government against the 2.67 lakh metric tonne of mineral theft that has happened in (Kutch in last two years), Jignesh Mevani, Congress MLA claimed in the Gujarat Assembly, Wednesday.
“In reply to a question asked by me during the Question Hour, the government has admitted that 2.67 lakh metric tonne of mineral theft has happened outside the official lease area (in Kutch),” Mevani said during discussion on budgetary demands in the House.
The MLA did not mention the period when the “theft” happened. (Pls remove)
“When I asked what steps have been taken, the state government says no FIR or chargesheet has been filed, nor any arrests made. No person has been convicted. Only notices have been issued,” he added.
Aam Aadmi Party MLA Umesh Makwana too highlighted the mineral thefts happening in Gujarat.
“The mining mafia is behind the mineral thefts in Botad (his assembly constituency). Mostly sand and black traps are getting stolen. The officials of the geology and mining department are informed of this, but it seems they are hand in gloves with those stealing the minerals,” Makwana alleged.
The AAP MLA also claimed that cement major UltraTech Cement Ltd was involved in illegal mining of limestone in Surendranagar, Botad and Bhavnagar.
“If these mines are mapped every three months, the state government will benefit from the royalty,” he added.
The written reply of Industries Minister Balwantsinh Rajput circulated to mediapersons show that in the last five years there has been a 22.5 percent jump in the number of cases related to illegal mining, seizure of vehicles and hoarding in Gujarat.
Compared to 7,734 cases, where Rs 109.88 crore has been recovered in 2018-19, the cases rose to 9,476 in 2022-23 (upto February 2023), where a total of Rs 199.07 crore were recovered from those engaged in illegal mining.
In the reply, the minister stated that the government recovers Rs 5,000 per vehicle containing stolen minerals and a compound fee of upto Rs two lakh can be recovered depending on the type of vehicle. The cases of illegal mining are dealt with by the concerned district collector and mamlatdar.
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