With over six cases a day, illegal mining rampant in Rajasthan, govt data shows

This takes the total incidents to 2,305, or more than six a day.

Additionally, there were 93 attacks against 311 officials and workers by the “mining mafia”, the government has said.

Among the incidents recorded by the Mines Department, the maximum were recorded in Bhilwara (104), followed by Bijoliya (58), which is a town in Bhilwara. The others making up the top ten are Bharatpur (55), Barmer (48), Jaisalmer (44), Jaipur (44), Chittorgarh (43), Bikaner (42), Jhunjhunu (41) and Beawar (40).

Bhilwara, which has recorded the highest number of incidents, has good lead and zinc reserves. But the incidents recorded are mainly for illegal river sand mining.

On the difference in the number of incidents recorded and the FIRs, Bhilwara Mining Engineer Mahesh Kumar Sharma said that an FIR is not lodged if the accused pay the penalties under the Rajasthan Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2017. He said the illegal mining in the district is mainly for bajri (river sand), masonry stone and garnet.

The Mines Department also collected `477.7 crore in fines and penalties, and seized 725 vehicles and pieces of equipment in 2024. The Forest Department collected `18.8 crore for the same period.

LoP Jully said that the figures reveal the poor law and order situation, and that “the state is in the clutches of the mining mafia which has a high morale”.

“It is unfortunate that 311 officials were attacked by the mafia, which shows the inefficiency of the government. It becomes even more unfortunate and worrisome when ministers themselves accuse their own government of illegal bajri mining and instead of taking action, the government goes silent,” Jully said.