A.P. govt. issues comprehensive guidelines to curb illegal mining of sand and other minerals

The government has made it mandatory for field-level officials to conduct regular inspections and report illegal activities proactively, without waiting for complaints. | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO / KOMMURI SRINIVAS The government on Friday issued comprehensive interim guidelines to strengthen inter-departmental coordination for preventing illegal mining and transportation of sand and other minerals across the State. It assigned clear responsibilities for various departments and provided for time-bound verification of complaints, joint field inspections, stringent enforcement measures and accountability of derelict officials. The order (G.O. Ms.No.278) was issued by Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad in compliance with the directions of the AP High Court in W.P. (PIL) No. 227 of 2026 filed by Amanchi Krishna Mohan against the State government concerning illegal sand mining in Bapatla district. In its order dated October 1, 2026, the court directed the government to formulate comprehensive guidelines to ensure effective prevention of illegal mining and fix responsibility on officials entrusted with enforcement duties. As per the G.O., the Mines & Geology Department registered 2,113 cases relating to sand violations between July 2024 and July 2026 and imposed penalties amounting to ₹6.24 crore. As many as 117 vehicles were blacklisted and 21 FIRs registered during this period. In the minor minerals sector, 9,120 violation cases were registered, with penalties amounting to ₹340.90 crore.The government has since made it mandatory for field-level officials responsible for the lands concerned to conduct regular inspections and report illegal activities proactively, without waiting for complaints. It ordered the Water Resources Department to monitor riverbeds and water bodies, Revenue Department to oversee government revenue lands, the Forest Department to monitor forest lands and the Panchayat Raj Department to oversee lands under its jurisdiction. The G.O. stipulated that all complaints received through helplines, the Vigilance App, petitions and other official channels and print, electronic and digital media should be registered by the District Mines & Geology Officer (DMGO) with unique case IDs. Complaints received by officials of other departments are to be immediately forwarded to the DMGOs. The departments concerned have been mandated to furnish land classification, ownership details and geographical coordinates within three working days of receiving requests and to verify every complaint through joint field inspections. Where violations are established, authorities have to initiate appropriate legal action, including prevention of further illegal mining, assessment of the quantity excavated and revenue loss, recovery of penalties, seizure and blacklisting of vehicles, registration of FIRs, prosecution and action against leases and permits, and recover unpaid amounts under the Revenue Recovery Act. Talk ForcesThe Superintendents of Police were directed to provide necessary protection to enforcement teams and ensure registration of FIRs in cognisable offences. Besides, District Level Task Forces are to be activated under the chairmanship of the District Collectors and having the SPs, Joint Collectors, Mines and Geology officials and representatives of Revenue, Forest, Water Resources, Panchayat Raj, Transport, Ground Water and Pollution Control Departments as members. Published - November 06, 2026 09:40 pm IST