Lok Sabha Question No. 1172 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: Illegal Mining of Gypsum
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: NANABHAU FALGUNRAO PATOLE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1172 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH  FEBRUARY, 2017

'Illegal Mining of Gypsum'

## † 1172. SHRI NANA PATOLE:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether illegal  mining  of  gypsum  reserves  is  taking  place  in  Bikaner  region  of Rajasthan near Pakistan border, if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to check the same;
- (b) whether  more  than  10  km.  long  mines  have  been  allotted  to  the  mining  mafia ignoring the  security concerns of B.S.F., if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  take  immediate  measures  in  view  of  the country's  security concerns, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  introduce  verification  provision  for  all miners working in gypsum mines, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  concrete  measures  to  pre-empt  the infiltration by Pakistani terrorists by digging tunnels through gypsum mines, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  POWER,  COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a),  (b)  &  (d):  Gypsum  is  a  minor  mineral.  As  per  section  15  of  the  Mines  and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 state governments are empowered to frame rules for regulating grant of mineral concessions in respect of minor minerals and for purposes connected therewith. Further as per section 23C of the said Act, state governments are empowered to frame rules for preventing illegal mining,  transportation  and  storage  of  minerals.  As  such,  regulation  of  grant  of mineral  concessions  in  respect  of  minor  minerals,  and  prevention  and  control  of illegal mining are matters which lie within the legislative and  administrative jurisdiction  of  state  governments.  Details  of  illegal  mining  and  details  of  mining leases granted for minor minerals are not maintained centrally.

Based on the information collected from the State Government of Rajasthan, it is submitted that there is no mining lease sanctioned along the border for mineral gypsum in Jaisalmer and Sriganganagar. However, for mineral gypsum five mining leases of area less than 5 hectares have been sanctioned in District Bikaner along

the  border  in  5  km.  area  and  one  mining  lease  has  been  sanctioned  to  M/s Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Limited (state PSU) over an area of 280.50 hectares. It has been also reported that there are occurrences of both surface and subsurface gypsum deposits along the border, which occur at a distance of about 125150 km. due North-North West of Bikaner headquarters. It is further reported that in the bordering tehsils of Bikaner like Bajju, Pugal, Khajuwala & Dantor, 40 vehicles were seized in the year 2015-16 and 57 vehicles were  seized  in  the  year  2016-17  for  illegal  transportation  of  mineral  gypsum,  and FIRs in this regard have also been registered in Police Stations; and that the district administration is keeping a watch on illegal mining with the help of Police and Mines Department, as a result of which several illegal mining activities have stopped. It has also been reported that the   District Collector of Bikaner vide letter dated 22.04.2016 has issued directions that all miners working in the gypsum mines should submit  their  ID  proof  to  the  concerned  Police  Stations;  and  that  the  miners  have reported compliance in this regard.

(c)  &  (e):  Union  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  has  informed  that  as  per  available information,  these  mines  are  located  about  3-15  kms  away  from  the  International Border. So, there is very little chance of these being used as a tunnel for infiltration. However, security  forces,  in  general,  take  appropriate  precautions  to  check  illegal infiltration through any route/means.

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