The chief minister said strict and technology-driven monitoring was necessary to protect the state’s mineral wealth and ensure lawful, transparent extraction. He asked officials to further enhance the effectiveness of the Special Task Force already engaged in monitoring mining activities, stressing that coordinated enforcement was key to curbing illegal operations.
Highlighting Chhattisgarh’s position as a mineral-rich state, Sai said the government’s priority was to ensure timely and high-quality implementation of mining projects while safeguarding public interest. He reviewed expenditure and project progress under the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) through the Khanij 2.0 portal, which provides real-time data on works funded through mineral revenues.
To improve oversight of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) works, the chief minister directed the establishment of a state-level Central Programme Management Unit under the District Mineral Trust Act. Officials said the move would help standardise monitoring mechanisms and improve accountability in the execution of welfare and infrastructure projects funded through DMF resources.
The meeting was attended by Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary, Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Finance Secretary Mukesh Bansal, Mineral Resources Secretary P. Dayanand, and Director of Mines Rajat Bansal.
In a major boost to rail infrastructure linked to industrial and mining logistics, the advisory committee approved several key projects. These include ₹328 crore for the Chirmiri–Nagpur railway line, ₹60.10 crore for one east corridor and three east–west corridors under the Chhattisgarh Railway Corridor Development project, and ₹24.10 crore as quasi-equity support.
The committee also cleared ₹112.70 crore for the development of projects in which the Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC) holds a 49 percent stake under the NMDC–CMDC joint venture. An additional ₹10 crore was sanctioned for departmental works of CMDC.
Officials said the decisions reflected the state government’s dual approach of tightening enforcement against illegal mining while investing in infrastructure to support legitimate mineral development. The increased use of drones and digital platforms is expected to improve transparency, reduce revenue leakage, and ensure that mineral wealth contributes effectively to regional development.
