Rules amended after Cabinet approval; Higher fines, stricter vehicle release norms and mining reforms introduced

Raipur, In a major crackdown on illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals, the Chhattisgarh government has introduced sweeping amendments to its Minor Mineral Rules under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai. The revised provisions, approved by the Council of Ministers, aim to curb illegal mining, boost state revenue and ensure scientific and transparent utilisation of mineral resources.

The most significant change relates to penalties for illegal excavation and transportation. The minimum compounding amount has now been fixed at Rs 25,000 in all cases. For illegal transportation, offenders will have to pay a compounding fee of Rs 2,000 per tonne, apart from the full value of the illegally transported mineral. For instance, a vehicle carrying 35 tonnes of minerals illegally will be liable to pay Rs 70,000 as compounding charges, in addition to the mineral’s value. Tractor operators caught transporting sand illegally will also have to pay a minimum compounding fee of Rs 25,000 along with the cost of the sand.

To prevent repeat offences, the government has tightened norms for the release of seized vehicles, machinery and equipment. Security deposits ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 3 lakh, depending on the category of the vehicle, will now have to be deposited before the concerned court prior to release.

Government has eased excavation permit norms for public infrastructure projects. The permissible excavation area for government construction works has been increased from 1 hectare to 2 hectares, while permit validity has been extended from two years to three years.

To promote scientific exploration and infrastructure development, the Chhattisgarh State Mineral Exploration Trust-2025 has been established. Two per cent of royalty collected from minor minerals will be credited to the trust, generating an estimated additional Rs 5.25 crore annually.

The process for amalgamation of mining leases has also been simplified to remove operational difficulties and facilitate premium collection. Further, a uniform system for deduction of mineral royalty, DMF, environmental cess, infrastructure cess and security deposits has been introduced across all construction departments. The amount will be refunded upon royalty clearance from the Mining Department, failing which it will be deposited under the mineral head.

Another key decision extends revenue-sharing benefits from minor minerals to district panchayats in addition to urban local bodies, gram panchayats and janpad panchayats. The government has also increased Dead Rent Rates for mines after nearly 30 years. With over 1,900 minor mineral mines in the state, many lying non-operational, the move is expected to ensure that only serious leaseholders continue operations, while inactive mines become available for re-auction.

The initiative is being seen as a strong manifestation of the Sai government’s zero-tolerance policy towards illegal mining, aimed at strengthening enforcement, transparency, revenue generation and sustainable mineral resource management.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai Directs Chief Secretary to Undertake Comprehensive Safety Review

Public Safety Is the Highest Priority; No Negligence Will Be Tolerated: Chief Minister Shri Sai

Raipur, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, while prioritising public safety, has directed a comprehensive review and special audit of safety arrangements in multi-storey residential complexes, commercial establishments, coaching institutes, hotels and other public-use buildings across the state. Taking serious note of recent fire incidents reported across the country, the Chief Minister said it is essential to learn from these incidents and ensure strict compliance with prescribed safety standards.

He said that any issue concerning the safety of citizens, students, and the public is the government's highest priority. He issued clear instructions that strict action, in accordance with the rules, must be taken against institutions and establishments found neglecting safety norms.

Following the Chief Minister's directions, Chief Secretary Shri Vikas Sheel has issued instructions to all Divisional Commissioners, District Collectors, Municipal Corporation Commissioners, Chief Municipal Officers, the Fire Services Department and officials of concerned departments to undertake a special inspection drive across the state. Under this campaign, detailed inspections will be carried out in multi-storey residential buildings, coaching centres, tuition classes, hotels, lodges, malls, commercial complexes and other public buildings to assess their safety arrangements.

During the inspections, authorities will examine the availability of fire extinguishers and fire safety equipment, validity of fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs), emergency exit arrangements, structural safety of buildings, condition of electrical wiring and equipment, CCTV surveillance systems, first-aid facilities, drinking water and sanitation arrangements, along with other essential safety standards. In addition, the number of occupants relative to building capacity, parking arrangements, and preparedness for evacuation and relief management during emergencies will be assessed.

Chief Minister Shri Sai has directed that institutions found to have deficiencies during inspections should be instructed to undertake necessary corrective measures, and that strict action should be taken in cases where serious irregularities are detected, as per the prescribed rules.

Raipur, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai today met Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah at Kartavya Bhavan in New Delhi, as part of efforts to develop Chhattisgarh into a national hub for Ayurvedic medicine, research, and higher education.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister held detailed discussions on the state's development, public welfare, and various contemporary issues, while urging for the establishment of an All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma was also present at the meeting.

The Chief Minister informed the Home Minister that the All India Institutes of Ayurveda currently operating in New Delhi and Panaji have established themselves as centers of excellence for Ayurveda-based medicine, research, and innovation in the country. These institutes have given a new direction to healthcare services by integrating modern science with traditional medical practices and have produced a large number of skilled Ayurvedic physicians and researchers.

Chief Minister Sai stated that Chhattisgarh is rich in natural resources and medicinal wealth. A vast area of ​​the state is covered by forests, where numerous rare medicinal plants and herbs grow naturally. The tribal regions also possess a rich heritage of traditional medicinal knowledge. In this context, establishing an All India Institute of Ayurveda here could play a pivotal role in taking Ayurvedic medicine and research to new heights.

He noted that the establishment of an AIIA would provide high-quality healthcare facilities to the people of the state, while offering the youth opportunities for study, teaching, and research at a national-level institute. This would boost Ayurveda-based medical education and enable Chhattisgarh to carve out a new identity in the fields of health, education, and research.

The Chief Minister further highlighted that the benefits of the institute would not be limited to Chhattisgarh alone but would extend to the wider region of Central India. Citizens of neighboring states would also be able to avail themselves of superior Ayurvedic treatment and research facilities.

Referring to the announcement in the Union Budget 2026 regarding the establishment of three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda across the country, the chief minister requested that one of these institutes be allocated to Chhattisgarh. He stated that this institute would not only strengthen healthcare services in the state but also provide fresh impetus to employment, research, and knowledge-based development.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister also apprised the Union Home Minister of the progress regarding ongoing development works, infrastructure expansion, and public welfare schemes in the state's remote areas, including Bastar.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah appreciated the efforts being made for development and public welfare in the state and assured all possible support from the Central Government.

मुख्यमंत्री श्री विष्णुदेव साय ने मुख्य सचिव को दिए निर्देश

राज्यभर में अग्नि सुरक्षा, भवन सुरक्षा एवं आपातकालीन व्यवस्थाओं की होगी व्यापक जांच

जनसुरक्षा सर्वोच्च प्राथमिकता, किसी भी प्रकार की लापरवाही बर्दाश्त नहीं की जाएगी : मुख्यमंत्री श्री विष्णुदेव साय

रायपुर, मुख्यमंत्री श्री विष्णुदेव साय ने राज्य में जनसुरक्षा को सर्वोच्च प्राथमिकता देते हुए बहुमंजिला आवासीय परिसरों, व्यावसायिक प्रतिष्ठानों, कोचिंग संस्थानों, होटलों तथा अन्य सार्वजनिक उपयोग के भवनों की सुरक्षा व्यवस्था की व्यापक समीक्षा और विशेष ऑडिट के निर्देश दिए हैं। हाल के दिनों में देश के विभिन्न हिस्सों में हुई अग्नि दुर्घटनाओं को गंभीरता से लेते हुए मुख्यमंत्री ने कहा है कि ऐसी घटनाओं से सबक लेकर सुरक्षा मानकों के कड़ाई से पालन को सुनिश्चित करना आवश्यक है।

मुख्यमंत्री श्री साय ने कहा कि नागरिकों, विद्यार्थियों और आमजन की सुरक्षा से जुड़ा कोई भी विषय शासन की सर्वोच्च प्राथमिकता है। उन्होंने स्पष्ट निर्देश दिए हैं कि सुरक्षा मानकों की अनदेखी करने वाले संस्थानों एवं प्रतिष्ठानों के विरुद्ध नियमानुसार सख्त कार्रवाई सुनिश्चित की जाए।

मुख्यमंत्री के निर्देश पर मुख्य सचिव श्री विकास शील ने राज्य के सभी संभागीय आयुक्तों, जिला कलेक्टरों, नगर निगम आयुक्तों, मुख्य नगरपालिका अधिकारियों, अग्निशमन विभाग तथा संबंधित विभागों के अधिकारियों को विशेष निरीक्षण अभियान संचालित करने के निर्देश जारी किए हैं। इस अभियान के अंतर्गत बहुमंजिला आवासीय भवनों, कोचिंग सेंटरों, ट्यूशन कक्षाओं, होटल, लॉज, मॉल, व्यावसायिक परिसरों एवं अन्य सार्वजनिक भवनों की सुरक्षा व्यवस्थाओं का विस्तृत परीक्षण किया जाएगा।

मुख्यमंत्री श्री साय ने कहा कि विद्यार्थियों, महिलाओं, वरिष्ठ नागरिकों तथा आम नागरिकों की सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित करना शासन की जिम्मेदारी है। इसलिए सभी संबंधित संस्थानों में निर्धारित सुरक्षा मानकों का पालन अनिवार्य रूप से सुनिश्चित किया जाए।

निरीक्षण के दौरान अग्निशमन यंत्रों एवं फायर सेफ्टी उपकरणों की उपलब्धता, वैध फायर एनओसी, आपातकालीन निकास मार्गों की व्यवस्था, भवन की संरचनात्मक सुरक्षा, विद्युत वायरिंग एवं उपकरणों की स्थिति, सीसीटीवी निगरानी व्यवस्था, प्राथमिक उपचार सुविधा, पेयजल एवं स्वच्छता व्यवस्था सहित अन्य आवश्यक सुरक्षा मानकों की जांच की जाएगी। साथ ही भवनों की क्षमता के अनुरूप लोगों की संख्या, पार्किंग व्यवस्था तथा आपदा की स्थिति में निकासी एवं राहत प्रबंधन की तैयारियों का भी परीक्षण किया जाएगा।

मुख्यमंत्री श्री साय ने निर्देश दिए हैं कि निरीक्षण के दौरान पाई गई कमियों के संबंध में संबंधित संस्थानों को आवश्यक सुधार हेतु निर्देश दिए जाएं तथा गंभीर अनियमितता पाए जाने पर नियमानुसार कार्रवाई की जाए।