Brilliant & Visionary Officer Rajat Bansal Earns Statewide Praise for Relentless War on Illegal Mining Seals Crusher Units, Seizes Machinery; Drone Surveys Tighten Noose on Sand Mafia Chhattisgarh’s Icon of Bureaucratic Integrity: Rajat Bansal Spearheads Crackdown on Illegal Sand Mining MD Chhattisgarh Mining Corporation Rajat Bansal Deploys Technology, Flying Squads Across Districts to Protect Mineral Wealth The most celebrated and widely recognized officer in Chhattisgarh for making the state proud through his relentless crackdown on the illegal sand mafia is brilliant IAS officer and MD, Chhattisgarh State Mining Corporation, Shri Rajat Bansal. Young, Smart, Energetic, and Visionary, IAS Officer Shri Rajat Bansal has become an icon of bureaucratic integrity in Chhattisgarh. Known as a brilliant, dynamic and passionate officer, he has executed major crackdowns on illegal mining mafias across the state. MD Mining Corporation and Special Secretary to the Chief Minister’s Office, Shri Rajat Bansal, said that drone surveys were used to assess mining and storage activities at inspected sites. This allowed officials to verify stock volumes and detect violations with greater accuracy. The state government has recently adopted technology-driven monitoring to curb illegal mining in remote and inaccessible areas. On the instructions of MD Mining Department Shri Rajat Bansal, the Chhattisgarh government has intensified its crackdown on illegal sand mining and mineral storage. Enforcement teams have sealed six crusher units, seized heavy machinery allegedly involved in illegal excavation, and deployed drone technology to monitor mining activity across multiple districts. The State Mining Department’s Central Flying Squad conducted surprise inspections across several districts over the weekend following complaints of illegal extraction and storage of minerals. In Baloda Bazar district, inspectors examined temporary storage sites and low-grade limestone mines at Khapridih village. During the inspection, authorities detected multiple irregularities and sealed six crusher units. Notices have been issued to the operators seeking explanations. In a separate operation in Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district, a surprise inspection along the Mahanadi river near Dahida village found a chain-mounted excavator being used for illegal sand mining. The machine was seized under mining laws and sealed pending further action. Authorities have also served notices on the owner. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai reiterated that illegal mining, transportation, and storage of minerals will not be tolerated and said strict action will continue against violators. He stressed that conservation of natural resources and lawful extraction of mineral wealth remain a priority for the state government. In another enforcement action, the Central Flying Squad carried out a late-night inspection of sand mining zones in Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur (MCB) district. Teams surveyed approved temporary sand storage sites along the Kewai and Hasdeo river stretches, including areas at Dandahaswahi, Pasauri, and Kutra. Post navigation PM Modi Interacts with IAS officer Trainees of 2024 Batch Posted as Assistant Secretaries
