CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has undertaken far-reaching reforms in the state’s mining sector, approving significant amendments to the Punjab Minor Mineral Policy aimed at ensuring adequate supply of raw materials, curbing illegal mining and corruption, reducing prices for consumers, increasing state revenues, and eliminating monopolistic practices.

Following extensive consultations with stakeholders at multiple levels, the Cabinet approved amendments that introduce new mining categories, modernise auction mechanisms, and streamline regulatory processes, marking a decisive shift towards transparency, fairness, and citizen-centric governance in the mining sector.

Speaking on the reforms, Mines and Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said, “Our government is committed to ending opacity in mining and ensuring that natural resources are used for the benefit of the people. By shifting to transparent online auctions, we are protecting state revenue, creating a level playing field for genuine operators, and curbing illegal mining.”

For years, Punjab’s mining sector suffered from an acute shortage of authorised mining sites. With barely around thirty-five operational mines across the state, legal supply fell far short of the demand for construction material required for roads, housing, and infrastructure projects. This mismatch created a vacuum that was increasingly filled by illegal mining and unregulated supply chains.

To address this structural problem, the Punjab government adopted a clear strategic shift: instead of allowing illegality to persist, it chose to gradually legalize mining supply by encouraging operators to come forward, disclose existing mining activity, complete proper documentation, and operate strictly within a defined regulatory framework. The........

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