Lok Sabha Question No. 2575 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-04
Subject: Sand Mining
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Manoj Rajoria

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2575

ANSWERED ON 04.08.2021

## SAND MINING

†2575. DR. MANOJ RAJORIA:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) the names of the States where sand mining from rivers has been discontinued;
- (b) whether sand mining or illegal sand mining from rivers has been banned by the Supreme Court of India;
- (c)  whether  despite  discontinuing  sand  mining  in  Rajasthan,  illegal  sand  mining  or black marketing of sand is increasing in the State;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  whether  the  Union  Government  and  State  Government  intend  for  an  early
- hearing of the case related to ban on sand mining in Supreme Court of India; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINES, COAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a) & (b): Govt. of Rajasthan has informed that Hon'ble Supreme Court vide its order dated 16.11.2017 has banned all the 82 mining lease/quarry holders in the State of scientific replenishment study is completed and the matter is fully  considered by the Ministry of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  and  an  environmental  clearance  is granted  or  rejected.  After  getting  fresh  environmental  clearances  sand  mining  in

- Rajasthan from carrying out mining of sand and bajri unless a three leases has been resumed in June 2021.

(c):  Sand  is  a  minor  mineral  under  Section  3(e)  of  the  Mines  and  Minerals (Development  &  Regulation)  Act,  1957.  Section  15  of  the  MMDR  Act,  1957, empowers the State  Governments to make rules for regulating  the  grant  of  minor mineral concessions. Moreover, Section 23C of the MMDR Act 1957, empowers the State  Governments  to  make  rules  for  preventing  illegal  mining,  transportation  and storage of minerals and for the purposes connected therewith. Thus, minor minerals are regulated at the level of State Government.  As per the report of the Government of  Rajasthan,  State  Government  is  taking  all  necessary  steps  to  stop  illegal  sand mining  and  has  constituted  Special  investigation  team  (SIT)  in  all  districts  under chairmanship of district  collectors  including  representatives  of  police,  mines, forest and transport department.

- (d): According to State of Rajasthan, after ban of sand mining by Hon'ble Supreme Court, the State Government has reported 36594 cases of illegal sand mining and transportation of sand, registered 3286 FIRs, seized 37435 vehicles/machinery and has recovered Rs 226.15 crore as penalty, till 30th June 2021.
- (e)  &  (f):  As  per  State  Government  of  Rajasthan  the  matter  regarding  river  sand mining was last listed in the Hon'ble Supreme Court on 19/02/2020 during which the Hon'ble Apex Court has directed central empowered committee (CEC) to examine

the issue of river sand mining in the State and to suggest the solution of the problem. The  CEC  has  submitted  the  report  to  Hon'ble  Apex  Court  on  23/12/2020.  State Government  has  filed  applications  for  early  hearing  during  April,  2021.  State Government has again requested on 12.07.2021 for early hearing of the matter and accordingly  Hon'ble  Court  has  directed  to  list  the  matter  on  19/07/2021.  However, the matter was not listed on the said date.

- *****