FIR on the then mining officer and employee: ETP was released on the mineral portal despite the expiry of the mining plan period

After the expiry of the mining plan period, the then Mineral Officer had released it on the e-Khanij portal without bringing it to the notice of the officer. After its investigation, on the application of Additional Collector, an FIR has been lodged against Mineral Officer Ashok Cigar and outsourced employee Mor Singh Yadav at City Kotwali Police Station.

The investigation team constituted in the sequence of 23 May 2023, investigated the operations of excavated wastes and other prevalent mineral cases under the Mineral Branch, investigated the cases registered on the e-Khanij portal, and investigated the revenue recovery. After investigation, it was found that Ashok Sigare, the then District Mineral Officer and outsourced employee Mohar Singh Yadav, posted in the Mineral Branch, went against the government instructions and the rules of the Madhya Pradesh Minor Minerals Act, 1996, without bringing the mining plan to the notice of the senior officials. ETP on e-Khanij portal even after has been continued.

The above facts have also been confirmed in its joint investigation report dated 20th May by the team formed in pursuance of the order dated 19th May from Directorate of Geology and Mining, Bhopal level. The said acts were found to be in clear violation of Rule 30 and Rule 42 of the Madhya Pradesh Minor Mineral Act, 1996. The FIR was given by the Mineral Officer in-charge Ashish Tiwari.