Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 15: In a sweeping crackdown on illegal mining and land fragmentation, the Maharashtra government has levied a massive Rs 28.5 crore fine over unauthorised excavation of nearly 50,000 cubic feet of sand in Gaur village, Parbhani district.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, addressing the Legislative Council, confirmed that if the fine remains unpaid by July 17, the government will initiate seizure proceedings. The fine follows a probe ordered after Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve raised concerns over rampant illegal sand mining in Purna taluka.
“We found that excavation had occurred without any legal clearance,” said Bawankule. “Strict orders have been issued, and drone surveillance and e-permit systems are in place to curb such activities.”
He added that the action is intended to serve as a strong deterrent to those engaging in illegal mining, and the government will continue using technology and policy enforcement to prevent further violations.
Large-Scale Land Fraud in Satara’s Koregaon Exposed
In a separate but equally serious revelation, Bawankule said large-scale violations of the Fragmentation Law were uncovered in Satara’s Koregaon constituency. He said that permissions for land subdivisions were issued illegally, often under the pretext of installing borewells or citing fabricated zone changes.
“Officials colluded with agents to bypass the law, issuing fake approvals and exploiting the poor. Many ordinary families have unknowingly built homes on illegally subdivided land,” the Minister said.
He assured that while innocent citizens will not be harmed, agents and officials involved in the racket will face criminal charges. “We have a list of officers involved, and departmental inquiries will be wrapped up within a month,” Bawankule stated, adding that zoning maps were falsified to convert Green Zone lands into Yellow Zones without any valid development plan.
Investigations have confirmed that the fraud was impossible without administrative involvement, and similar irregularities are now surfacing in other parts of the state as well.
Bawankule assured the Council that the government “acknowledges its lapses” and is determined to uphold justice—by protecting the poor and punishing those who manipulate the system for personal gain.
MLC Shashikant Shinde welcomed the government’s bold action but urged further policy clarity on fragmentation laws in rural regions.