During the statewide joint campaign against illegal mining activities on the instructions of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, a big and unique case of illegal mining came to light near Mundhwa in Nagaur. The mining department caused a loss of crores of rupees to the state government by illegally mining more than one lakh tonnes of mineral silica sand even before obtaining consent to operate from the leaseholder and permission to start mining work. At the same time, after investigation, ten times the fine will be charged as per rules.
When the state government got information about the matter from confidential sources, Mines Secretary Anandi constituted a special team of officials from another district and sent it to the spot to conduct an investigation and the entire matter came to light. During the investigation, illegal mining was found in large quantities. At the same time, the department has taken strict action and assessed more than 1 lakh 8 thousand 305 tonnes of illegal mining at two such places and proposed a fine of more than Rs 11 crore 90 lakh. While taking action against the guilty officers, one officer was also suspended.
