CAG finds 122 cases of illegal mining near allotted areas in Rajasthan

A performance audit conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has found 122 cases of illegal mining near sanctioned mining areas in Rajasthan during the 2015-16 to 2019-20 period. The identified area of illegal mining was 83.25 hectre. The audit also noticed misuse of 22,854 electronic challans to show fake dispatch of 5.2 lakh MT of mineral from 13 mineral leases where excavations did not happen.

The audit stated that the state mining department failed to leverage free of cost technologies available in the public domain to identify and curb illegal mining activities. It noticed irregularities like overlapping of leases and said the department failed to effectively utilize DMGOMS, a web based application it had introduced in 2017, to effectively monitor mining activities. "Demands (worth ₹71.2 crore) related to illegal mining activities were not shown on the demand register maintained at DMGOMS in 53 cases. Dispatch of minerals from mining leases in excess of limits prescribed in Environment Clearance Certificate/Consent to Operate were found but there was no check in the system to prevent the dispatch of mineral in excess of permissible quantity. Penalty of ₹13.99 crore on excess and unauthorized quantities of minerals excavated in 38 mining leases was not imposed by the department," the report said.

Tabled on February 28, 2023, the CAG Report on the Performance Audit on 'Illegal Mining in Rajasthan' was prepared using remote sensing data and GIS technology. The audit involved test checks in 12 mining offices across the state along with joint physical verification of mining sites.

The report also lists out a number of suggestions including use of GIS technology and drone surveys to expedite identification of illegal mining activities.

Rajasthan has the presence of 81 types of minerals of which 57 are being commercially exploited. The state has awared the largest number of mining leases in the country. According to the state mining department, there were 48,486 illegal mining cases during the 2015-16 to 2019-20 period. The instances of illegal mining cited in the CAG's performance audit are in addition to the official numbers of the department.