Lok Sabha Question No. 928 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: Illegal SAnd Mining
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Arvind Dharmapuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 928

ANSWERED ON 26.07.2023

## ILLEGAL SAND MINING

928. SHRI ARVIND DHARMAPURI:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state :

- (a) whether it is  a fact  that  there  have  been  instances  of  illegal  sand  mining  in Telangana;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the steps taken by the Government to curb the rampant illegal sand mining in Telangana;
- (c) the  details  and  the  number  of  cases  of  illegal  sand  mining  reported  in Telangana over the past three years, district and year-wise; and
- (d) the details of the action proposed and directions issued to the Telangana State Government to curb the rampant levels of illegal sand mining in the State?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d):   Sand  is  a  minor  mineral  under  Section  3(e)  of  the  Mines  and  Minerals (Development & Regulation) (MMDR) 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, also empowers the State  Governments  to  make  rules  for  preventing  illegal  mining,  transportation  and storage of minerals and for the purposes connected therewith. The administration of the mining of minor minerals is a subject that is completely within the domain of the respective State Governments.

However, based on the quarterly returns submitted by State Governments on illegal mining to Indian Bureau of Mines (a subordinate office under the administrative control of  Ministry  of  Mines),  the  number  of  illegal  mining  cases  identified  /  reported  by Government of Telangana and subsequent action taken during the last three years is provided at Annexure.

Further, Central Government has, inter-alia , taken following measures to curb illegal mining:

- (i) Penalty for illegal mining has been made more stringent by amendment of the MMDR Act in 2015. Penalties for contravention of Section 4(1) and 4(1A) of the Act have been increased from Rs. 25 thousand per hectares to Rs. 5 Lakh per hectare and the term of imprisonment has been increased from 2 years to 5 years. Further, Section 30B of the Act provides for constitution of Special courts by State Governments for speedy trial of Illegal mining/Transportation/Storage cases and 30C of the Act provides that such Special Courts shall be deemed to be a Court of Session.

(ii) The Ministry of Mines, through Indian Bureau of Mines, has developed the Mining Surveillance System (MSS) to use space technology for reporting any illegal mining activity to the State Government who will take necessary action. Mining Surveillance System  (MSS)  is  a  satellite-based  monitoring  system  which  aims  to  detect  illegal mining activity beyond the lease area through use of satellite images.

(iii) In pursuance of the provisions of Section 23(C) of the Act, 21 State Governments have framed rules to curb illegal mining. Also, 22 State Governments have set up Task Forces to control illegal mining and review the action taken by member departments for checking the illegal mining activities at state and district levels.

(iv) Ministry of Mines has prepared a 'Sand Mining Framework' in consultation with Mining Departments of the States incorporating best practices amongst States and suggestions  based  on  the  objectives  of  sustainability,  availability,  affordability  and transparency in sand mining. The 'Sand Mining Framework' was circulated to all the States for necessary action.

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(The number of illegal mining cases identified/reported by Government of Telangana on the quarterly returns submitted to IBM)

| Sr. No.   | Year    | No. of FIR Lodged Court   | No. of FIR Lodged Court   | No. of FIR Lodged Court         | Vehicle                         | Fine Realized by State Govt.   |
|-----------|---------|---------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|--------------------------------|
|           |         | Cases                     | (Nos.)                    | Cases Filed (Nos.) Seized (No.) | Cases Filed (Nos.) Seized (No.) | (Rs. Lakh)                     |
| 1.        | 2019-20 | 7039                      | 0                         | 0                               | 0                               | 1175.6                         |
| 1.        | 2020-21 | 5620                      | 0                         | 0                               | 0                               | 820.3                          |
| 2.        | 2021-22 | 2831                      | 0                         | 0                               | 73                              | 793.8                          |
| Total     | Total   | 15,490                    | 0                         | 0                               | 73                              | 2789.7                         |