CM Sukhu has said that revenue generated from mineral extraction in Himachal Pradesh has increased by 70 percent over the last three years. While chairing a meeting of the Mining Wing of the Industries Department, the Chief Minister informed that revenue from major and minor minerals rose from Rs. 200 crore in 2021-22 to Rs. 340 crore in 2025-26.
The Chief Minister said that additional charges imposed by neighbouring states such as Punjab, Haryana and Uttarakhand on the transportation of minor minerals from Himachal Pradesh have affected mineral movement from border areas, impacting revenue generation. He directed the department to take up the matter with the concerned states through appropriate legal and administrative channels.
He also highlighted that the Central Government has not revised the royalty rates for limestone since 2014, which has affected the state’s revenue. He said the state government would continue to pursue the matter to secure its rightful dues.
Emphasising the need for sustainable mining, the Chief Minister directed departments to ensure that mineral extraction is carried out scientifically while strictly following environmental norms. He said development and environmental conservation must go hand in hand and natural resources should be utilised responsibly.
He instructed authorities to ensure that mining activities do not harm rivers, streams, forests or other natural resources. Strict action should be taken against illegal mining, and operations should be restricted only to notified areas with regular inspections to ensure compliance with rules.
The Chief Minister said protecting Himachal Pradesh’s fragile ecology and natural heritage remains a top priority of the state government. He urged all stakeholders involved in mining activities to adopt responsible and sustainable practices.
He further directed officials to maintain continuous monitoring of mining operations so that environmental protection is ensured along with developmental activities. Various issues related to the mining sector were also discussed in detail during the meeting.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
