Secretary, Minerals Department, Shri P. Dayanand held a major virtual meeting with the Collectors of 11 major sand supplying districts.

There should be no shortage in the supply of sand in the state, sand should be made available to the general public at reasonable rates by producing it as per the capacity from the approved mines.

The government is strictly implementing the zero tolerance policy against illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals.

Royalty-free sand supply to PM Awas Yojana beneficiaries must be strictly followed, and illegal activities must not be carried out under its guise.

Raipur, Chhattisgarh: In line with its commitment to good governance and transparency, the Chhattisgarh government is strictly enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against illegal mining, transportation, and storage of minerals. Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai has taken a firm stance on this issue, making it clear that no leniency will be shown in any case involving revenue loss or illegal activity. He has also directed the government to ensure the supply of sand to the public at reasonable rates.

Following the Chief Minister's instructions, the Mineral Department is continuously active and is being reviewed periodically. In this regard, on April 30, 2026, the Chief Minister's Secretary and Secretary of the Mineral Department, P. Dayanand, held a video conference with the collectors of the 11 major sand-supplying districts in the state—Raipur, Bilaspur, Balodabazar, Janjgir-Champa, Sakti, Mahasamund, Gariaband, Dhamtari, Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Baikunthpur, Balrampur, and Kanker—to thoroughly review the mine operations.

Clear instructions were given at the meeting that there should be no shortage of sand supply in the state. All approved sand mines should ensure production is up to their capacity, and sand should be available to the public at reasonable rates. Strict compliance with the order to provide royalty-free sand to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana should be ensured, so that illegal mining is not encouraged under the guise of this.

Mineral Secretary Mr. Dayanand, while reviewing the sand mine auction process, found that more than 100 percent of the auctions had been completed in Gariaband, Kanker, and Janjgir-Champa districts, while expected progress had not been achieved in Dhamtari, Bilaspur, and Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Baikunthpur. Expressing strong displeasure, he directed the concerned collectors to immediately ensure the auction of as many mines as possible. The Secretary also directed that the mining plan and environmental clearance process for the auctioned mines be completed on priority and that weekly reviews be mandatory. Additionally, areas of illegal mining should be identified and continuous action should be taken, and complaints and media reports should be taken seriously and immediate action should be ensured.

He clearly stated that if the Central Flying Squad of the Mineral Department has to take action against illegal mining in any district, it reflects the negligence of the concerned district administration and their lack of seriousness regarding the matter. The Secretary stated that the Chief Minister has previously expressed strong displeasure over such negligence.

At the end of the meeting, Mineral Secretary Mr. P. Dayanand categorically stated that the Chief Minister's instructions should be strictly followed. If illegal mining is ongoing in any district of the state and evidence of illegal excavation is found through drone survey or investigation by the Central Flying Squad team, the District Collector and Mineral Officers will be held accountable and action will be taken, for which they will be personally responsible.