Rajasthan Admits Inaction on Illegal Mining, Forms Committee After SC Warning

The Rajasthan government has informed the Supreme Court that it has formed a high-level committee to identify officials responsible for alleged inaction over illegal mining and stone crushing activities in Dausa district. This follows a warning from the Court that the Chief Secretary would have to personally appear if substantive action was not demonstrated. The State admitted that, prima facie, no effective action was taken by field authorities on villagers' complaints regarding illegal mining and stone crushing.

The compliance affidavit was filed after the Supreme Court expressed dissatisfaction with the State's response to complaints from Kalwan village villagers about illegal mining operations since 2020. The case stems from a petition by Prakash, a villager convicted in a 2021 violence case linked to protests against illegal mining and pollution from stone crushing units. The Court had suspended Prakash's sentence, noting the incident resulted from total inaction by authorities despite repeated complaints.

The petitioner alleged stone crushing units encroached on Panchayat, forest, and grazing land, with villagers reporting illegal blasting, dust pollution, road damage, and silicosis. The Court observed serious discrepancies pointed out by the petitioner's sister in 2020, but the State's affidavit showed no action taken. The Court granted one last opportunity, warning the Chief Secretary would need to appear personally if no substantive action was shown.

In its May 9 affidavit, the State claimed the issue was not brought to senior authorities before the Court's order and that immediate corrective measures were initiated afterward. A High-Level Committee was formed within 24 hours, comprising the Divisional Commissioner as chairperson, a Mines Department representative, and the District Collector as member-secretary. The committee will identify responsible officers, recommend action, and suggest measures to curb illegal mining, with a report due within one month.