Punjab News:Bhagwant Mann Govt’s Zero Tolerance Against Illegal Mining: 1,845 FIRs, 3,988 Seizures Across Punjab in Just 5 Years

Punjab News:Bhagwant Mann Govt’s Zero Tolerance Against Illegal Mining: 1,845 FIRs, 3,988 Seizures Across Punjab in Just 5 Years

*₹28.70 Crore Penalties Imposed, ₹27.33 Crore Recovered in Crackdown on Illegal Mining: Barinder Kumar Goyal*

*Five Arrested, Heavy Machinery & Vehicles Seized in Recent Statewide Raids: Barinder Kumar Goyal*

The CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against illegal mining, with sustained enforcement drives resulting in 1,845 FIRs and 3,988 seizures across the state over the last five years. The Mining Department has imposed penalties worth ₹28.70 crore against illegal mining activities, out of which ₹27.33 crore has already been recovered, Punjab Mines and Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said on Friday.

Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Punjab Mines and Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal shared year-wise details of enforcement action, including FIRs registered, vehicles and machinery seized, penalties imposed and amounts recovered. “The department, in close coordination with the police, has intensified its action to curb unauthorised extraction and transportation of minerals and ensure strict compliance with mining regulations,” he asserted.

Sharing the year-wise performance, the Mines and Geology Minister said, “In 2022, a total of 735 FIRs were registered and 802 seizures of vehicles and machinery were made, with penalties of ₹89 lakh imposed and ₹88 lakh recovered. In 2023, the department registered 458 FIRs and made 987 seizures, imposing penalties of ₹6.64 crore and recovering ₹6.17 crore. During 2024, 294 FIRs were registered and 1,077 seizures made, with penalties of ₹9.74 crore imposed and ₹9.56 crore recovered. In 2025, 111 FIRs were registered and 454 seizures made, with penalties of ₹2.76 crore imposed and ₹2.70 crore recovered.”

Providing the figures for 2026, he said, “The department has registered 247 FIRs and made 668 seizures of machinery and vehicles during the year. Penalties amounting to ₹8.67 crore have been imposed, out of which ₹8.02 crore has already been recovered. These figures reflect the intensified enforcement and sustained field-level action being undertaken by the department.”

Elaborating on the enforcement action during the current year, the Minister said that up to July 2026, the department had registered 77 FIRs and recorded 192 challans under Rules 74 and 75 of the Punjab Minor Mineral Rules, 2013. Penalties amounting to ₹2.06 crore were imposed during this period, out of which ₹1.93 crore was recovered.

“From July to October 2026, the department registered another 170 FIRs and recorded 476 challans under the relevant provisions. Penalties worth ₹6.61 crore were imposed during this period, with ₹6.17 crore recovered. Thus, the total enforcement action during 2026 stands at 247 FIRs and 668 challans, with ₹8.67 crore in penalties imposed and ₹8.02 crore recovered,” he added.

Sharing details of recent enforcement operations conducted across Punjab in close coordination with the police, Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said that on October 6, 2026, the department intercepted an unnumbered tipper loaded with sand during a night operation in the Sidhwan Bet area of Ludhiana. The vehicle was handed over to the local police, and FIR No. 283/2026 was registered at Police Station Sidhwan Bet.

On October 7, a joint team of mining officials and police detected illegal sand excavation at village Kot Sidhu in Tehsil Lopoke, Amritsar. During the operation, three identified JCB excavators, one unnumbered excavator and seven tippers were identified in connection with the illegal activity. FIR No. 160/2026 was registered at Police Station Bhindi Saidan.

Similarly, on October 11, a joint team conducted a night operation in the Sri Chamkaur Sahib area of Rupnagar district, during which five persons involved in illegal mining were arrested. The team also seized three excavators/backhoe loaders and two tippers. FIR No. 178/2026 was registered under Sections 4(1) and 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.

On October 16, the Mining Department took action at village Swara in Sri Anandpur Sahib and seized an orange-coloured Tata Hitachi EX 110i Poklan machine allegedly used for unauthorised excavation. The machine was handed over to the police, and FIR No. 152/2026 was registered against the landowner. On the same day, legal action was also initiated against two persons involved in illegal sand excavation at village Kohali in the Lopoke area of Amritsar district, with FIR No. 328/2026 registered in the matter.

The Cabinet Minister further informed that on October 17, a late-night raid was conducted at Trehan Stone Crusher in village Jaswan, Pathankot, where a Pokalin machine and an unnumbered tipper carrying approximately 400 cubic feet of gravel were seized. “The crusher has been suspended earlier but is found operating and selling mineral material in violation of prescribed norms. FIR No. 156/2026 was registered at Police Station Taragarh under the relevant provisions of the Mines and Minerals Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,” he added.

In another operation on the same day, the Mining Department’s Flying Squad, along with the local police, raided village Khijarpur in Kapurthala district and seized six tippers, one Pokalin machine and one tractor. Two of the seized tippers were carrying approximately 800 cubic feet of sand each. FIR No. 76/2026 was registered against Mical of Lamba Pind, Jalandhar, and five unidentified persons. One person was also arrested in connection with the case.

On October 24, the department’s Flying Squad conducted another operation near village Bhalan in the Nangal area of Sri Anandpur Sahib, taking action against suspected illegal mining and transportation of mineral material. Two vehicles, including a Hyundai vehicle and a Tata vehicle associated with Singh Trader Crusher, were involved in the case. FIR No. 195 dated October 24, 2026, was registered at Police Station Nangal, Sri Anandpur Sahib.

Reiterating the Bhagwant Mann government’s firm commitment to curbing illegal mining, Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said, “The department will continue its coordinated enforcement drives with the police and take strict legal action against everyone found violating mining regulations. The Punjab Government is committed to eliminating illegal mining through sustained field surveillance, stringent enforcement and accountability at every level.”