Jaipur: The state govt has launched a drive against mines lying inactive for a long time in Bundi district, targeting leaseholders who failed to commence mineral production despite holding valid leases.Acting on official directives, the department of mines identified 159 such leaseholders. In the first phase of enforcement, notices are being issued to 121 of them.According to a senior mining official, the highest concentration of dormant mines is in Dabi and Baran regions. “Of the 433 mines in the district, operations in 149 remained suspended for a considerable time. Among these, 121 leaseholders continue to pay lease rent and royalty without initiating production, prompting the department to serve formal notices,” the official said. Authorities have cautioned that if mining activities are not resumed following the notices, the leases may be subject to cancellation.However, the govt’s move has sparked opposition from mine operators. They argued that despite regular payment of royalty and dead rent, they are now facing punitive action. They attribute the prolonged inactivity to factors beyond their control, including the economic slump post-Covid and a significant drop in exports due to the Russia–Ukraine conflict.Ashok Kumar Jain, secretary of the Bundi Sandstone Owners Development Committee, alleged that the new policy appears to be an attempt to harass mine operators. “There was no such rule earlier. Leaseholders paused operations as mineral rates were not viable. They were waiting for the right time to resume work. The govt should acknowledge current industry challenges and grant at least a year’s grace period to restart operations,” he said.Other leaseholders echoed similar concerns, maintaining that they have not engaged in any illegal activity and have consistently contributed to the state’s revenue. They urged the govt to consider relief measures based on earlier regulations.A leaseholder also highlighted inconsistencies in enforcement, stating, “In Bhilwara district, just 2 km from Bundi, overloading is permitted, while in Bundi, strict restrictions are in place. Many operators transport material from Bhilwara using transit permits, giving the impression that no production is occurring in Bundi. These discrepancies must be addressed.”
