Over 7,000 illegal mining cases reported in Rajasthan over seven years
Rajasthan: Rajasthan has reported more than 7,000 FIRs related to illegal mining activities over the past seven years, with a large share of these cases coming from districts in the Aravalli region, according to official data.
According to a report published by The Indian Express on Friday, between 2018 and 2025, a total of 7,173 FIRs were registered across the state for illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals. Of these, 4,181 cases were recorded in districts located in the Aravalli belt.
During the same period, authorities documented 71,322 instances of illegal mining activity, including both major and minor violations. Around 40,175 of these incidents were reported from the Aravalli districts alone.
Contrasting figures from the five-year Congress rule with two years of the BJP government, the latter’s spokesperson and former three-term MLA Ramlal Sharma reportedly said, “It is the clear intention of the Rajasthan government and the chief minister that not a single stone will be damaged in Aravalli.” He said that the BJP government has taken decisive action “against illegal mining, and mining mafia in the last two years.”
Data comparing the previous Congress government and the current BJP administration shows that 29,209 illegal mining incidents were reported in Aravalli districts during the five-year Congress rule, while 10,966 cases were recorded in the first two years of the BJP government. Similarly, 3,179 FIRs were filed in the Aravalli region during the Congress tenure, compared to 1,002 FIRs under the BJP government so far.
Rajasthan Mines and Petroleum Department officials reportedly said most violations relate to illegal mining, transportation and storage, many of which are compoundable offences. FIRs are filed only when criminal elements such as violence or theft are involved.
In response to an Assembly question by Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully earlier this year, the government had said that there were 93 attacks against 311 officials and workers by the “mining mafia” in 2024.
Over the last seven years, the state has collected penalties amounting to Rs 637.16 crore from illegal mining cases. Of this, around Rs 231.75 crore was collected during the Congress government, while about Rs 136.78 crore has been collected under the present BJP government. Authorities have also arrested 3,736 people and seized more than 70,399 vehicles and machines linked to illegal mining during this period.
With the hills already under severe pressure for the last few decades from mining, both legal and illegal, and other development activities, the new definition has triggered widespread protests in Rajasthan and beyond.
The situation has gained further attention following a new definition of the Aravalli Hills approved by the Supreme Court, which classifies landforms rising 100 metres above local relief as part of the Aravalli range. The move has sparked protests, with concerns that it could expose more areas to mining. However, the Union Environment Ministry has stated that no new mining leases would be allowed until a detailed study is undertaken, according to the November 20 order.
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Vice president releases latest edition of Constitution in Sindhi
New Delhi (PTI): Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Friday released the latest edition of the Constitution in Sindhi language, in both Devanagari and Persian scripts here.
Addressing a gathering, the vice president extended greetings to the Sindhi-speaking community on the occasion of Sindhi Bhasha Diwas.
He described Sindhi as one of the oldest and most melodious languages, noting that its literary tradition reflects a unique confluence of Vedantic philosophy and Sufi thought, promoting universal values of oneness, love, and brotherhood.
Highlighting the significance of the occasion, he said that the release of the Constitution in Sindhi, particularly in the Devanagari script for the first time since Independence, marks an important milestone in promoting linguistic inclusivity.
He emphasised that the Constitution is not merely a legal document but the living spirit of the nation, embodying its aspirations, safeguarding rights, and guiding democratic governance.
He observed that India stands unique in making its Constitution available in a wide range of languages and recalled similar initiatives undertaken in recent years, including translations in Bodo, Dogri, Santhali, Tamil, Gujarati, and Nepali. These efforts, he said, celebrate India’s linguistic diversity and reinforce democratic values.
