Hazaribag: Chatra DC Ravi Anand on Thursday directed officials to intensify crackdown against illegal mining through joint enforcement drives and stringent legal action against violators.Chairing a meeting of the district mining task force, Anand expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of enforcement directing officials to increase the frequency of raids.District mining officer Manoj Toppo informed that during the current financial year (2026-27), up to July, authorities seized 17 vehicles involved in illegal mining and transportation, registered 13 FIRs and recovered penalties of over Rs 23.24 lakh from 68 vehicles found violating mining rules.During the corresponding period of the previous financial year, 76 vehicles were seized, 30 FIRs were registered and penalties exceeding Rs 13.14 lakh were recovered from 78 vehicles.In line with National Green Tribunal (NGT) directives, extraction and transportation of sand from Category-I sand ghats remain prohibited from June 10 to October 15. Despite the ban, complaints of illegal sand mining have continued to surface from Itkhori, Gidhaur, Hunterganj and Mayurhand blocks.The DC directed circle officers and police station in-charges to maintain round-the-clock vigil at river ghats and take immediate action against illegal activities.The Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board was asked to initiate action against stone crushers, brick kilns and other mining-related units operating without mandatory Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO).
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