Mineral revenue rises by 14%; Cong calls it resource loot

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh govt has recorded a 14% year-on-year growth in mineral revenue, collecting Rs 16,625 crore in the 2025–26 financial year. This figure represents 98% of the annual target. The state govt attributed the increase to digital monitoring and better management, while the opposition Congress termed it evidence of "uncontrolled loot" of natural resources. Mineral Resources Department secretary P Dayanand, stated that the growth rate is more than double the average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6% seen over the previous five years. Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai has directed officials to ensure a digital and integrated mining system. The state govt plans to bring minor minerals under the ‘Khanij 2.0' platform in the coming financial year. To further strengthen oversight, the govt will expand the use of the vehicle tracking system (VTS), iCheck Gates, and drone-based surveillance for mineral transport. "The objective is to ensure transparency and accountability in managing mineral resources while securing revenue for development works," the CM said. The state administration also cited the optimisation of dispatch routes for NMDC as a key factor in the revenue surge. Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) has hit out at the state govt, claiming the revenue growth comes at the cost of environmental destruction. A party spokesperson that the administration is facilitating the exploitation of forests and land for the benefit of a few private firms. "The govt is patting its own back for the record revenue, but for this, dense forests in Hasdeo, Tamnar, Bailadila, and Bastar have been sacrificed," said Congress leader Surendra Verma. He claimed that valuable minerals are being extracted at low costs and sent to factories in other states. The opposition further alleged that the water in Sabari river is being used to transport iron ore through slurry pipelines to private steel plants in Andhra Pradesh, leading to pollution and land degradation.