After a PIL filed by late RTI activist Amit Jethwa exposed the Gujarat government’s lenient approach towards illegal mining activities in the state, the authorities have now started a series of measures to stop the illegal mining of minerals across the state. It may be noted that Jethwa was murdered in July 2010 near the Gujarat high court
when he was fighting powerful mining mafia who had created nexus with state government officials and politicians. In an affidavit and action taken report submitted before a division bench headed by Chief Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya, principal secretary of industries and mines M. Sahu informed the court of various measures the authorities have undertaken after being upbraided by the court.
The government has amended provisions of Gujarat Mineral (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2005 and provision of suspension of royalty pass/delivery challans was introduced in cases of violation or breach of any lease deed conditions of dues pending, the bench was told.
It was further submitted that the government will hold police officers, revenue officers and geology and mining officers accountable and liable for negligence towards their official duty so far as detection of illegal mining activities in the state is concerned. The government has recently passed a resolution and a state/district level task force has been constituted to check illegal mining. “All the pending lease applications will be disposed off and new leases will be granted with all transparency,” the bench was told.