Govt to transfer mining permit powers to collectors to ensure transparency & check illegal excavations

Pune: State govt has decided to transfer the power to grant mining permits for volumes between 500 and 2,000 brass directly to district collectors, removing the authority from tehsil and sub-divisional offices. The move aims to check illegal excavation and stone-crusher operations, besides enhancing transparency and ensuring greater accountability in the mining permission process.Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced the decision following a review meeting with district collectors and senior officials on Wednesday. "Govt has decided to vest powers with district collectors to grant permissions for mining between 500 and 2,000 brass. The rules will be amended accordingly," the minister said.The decision comes amid concerns over large-scale illegal excavation and unauthorised stone crushers reported across several districts. The issue was recently raised in the state assembly by MLA Sunil Prabhu, prompting the minister to convene a meeting to assess the situation in affected districts.Earlier, permissions for smaller-scale mining were issued at the tehsil or sub-divisional level, where authorities reportedly received multiple complaints of irregularities and corruption. The officials said shifting these powers to district collectors would streamline the approval process and reduce the scope for malpractice."A dedicated cell will be established under each district collector to scrutinise applications and grant mining permissions once a year in a structured and transparent manner," a revenue department official said.Reiterating a zero-tolerance stance, Bawankule warned of strict action against erring officials. He directed authorities to submit proposals to withhold salary increments of tehsildars and sub-divisional officers found complicit in granting permissions without proper documentation.Clarifying that the decision was not meant to hinder legitimate mining activity, the minister said all approvals would be issued strictly in accordance with legal and environmental norms. "Projects that cause environmental damage, including hill cutting, will not be permitted," he said.To strengthen monitoring, govt has decided to expand the digital tracking system currently in place in Pune to Thane, Palghar and Raigad districts, with a phased rollout planned across the state. An immediate survey of 90 mines has also been ordered. Revenue department officials have been told to impose strict penalties and initiate criminal proceedings wherever discrepancies or violations are detected.District collectors have further been directed to deploy special flying squads to curb illegal night-time excavation and prevent revenue losses. The officials said the measures were aimed at tightening oversight of mining operations, curbing illegal excavation and ensuring strict compliance with environmental and regulatory norms across Maharashtra.