Haryana Records Five Illegal Mining Cases Daily Since 2019

Haryana has recorded more than five illegal mining cases per day since April 1, 2019, according to the Economic Survey of Haryana tabled in the Vidhan Sabha on March 17. A total of 10,676 cases were registered between April 1, 2019, and October 31, 2024, resulting in the recovery of Rs 345.74 crore in penalties. 

The highest number of cases were registered in 2020-21 and 2021-22, with 3,515 and 2,192 cases respectively. 

Vehicle Seizures 

From August 28, 2019, to November 30, 2024, authorities seized 13,118 vehicles used for illegal transportation of minerals, averaging nearly seven vehicles per day. These seizures led to penalties totaling Rs 185.81 crore.

Yamunanagar district topped the list with 2,815 vehicles seized, followed by Gurugram and Nuh (1,637), Faridabad and Palwal (1,366), Mahendragarh (1,309), Panchkula (1,054), and Ambala (979). 

Mining Operations and Revenue 

Currently, only 42 mines are operational in the state, while seven licenses have been suspended – four in Yamunanagar, and one each in Panchkula, Bhiwani, and Charkhi Dadri. 

The department's revenue collection has been declining in recent years. After reaching a peak of Rs 1,019.94 crore in 2020-21, it fell to Rs 838.34 crore in 2021-22, Rs 837.02 crore in 2022-23, and Rs 814.77 crore in 2023-24. As of January 30, 2025, the revenue stood at just Rs 580.18 crore.

Ambala Congress MP Varun Chaudhary noted, "Of the 110 mining blocks, only 62 were auctioned in the past. Unauctioned blocks not only lead to a loss of revenue but also illegal mining." 

Rehabilitation Funds Largely Unspent 

Mines in operation must contribute 7.5 percent to the Mines and Mineral Restoration and Rehabilitation Fund, with the state contributing an additional 2.5 percent. This fund is intended to help people and areas affected by mining activities.= However, government data shows that from 2020-21 to 2024-25, while Rs 126.71 crore was collected in the District Mineral Foundation Fund, only Rs 80.63 crore was spent.

In several districts, the utilization of these funds has been minimal:

• Panchkula: Only Rs 1.21 crore spent out of Rs 6.91 crore collected, with no expenditure since 2021-22
• Palwal, Ambala, and Rewari: No funds spent at all
• Bhiwani: Mere Rs 7.48 lakh spent out of Rs 11.24 crore collected
• Yamunanagar: Only Rs 3.89 crore spent out of Rs 20.40 crore collected 

"The state gets revenue and the miner gets minerals but the villages where mining takes place bear all problems like dust, poor roads, etc. It is a pain to note that the fund is not being utilized fully and the administration is just making FDs in banks," Chaudhary said.