SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir recorded 24 triggers under the Mining Surveillance System (MSS) over the last five years, with only one case of unauthorised mining confirmed after field verification, according to data presented by the Ministry of Mines in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
The confirmed case was in Pulwama, which accounted for the lone instance of unauthorised mining detected by the Jammu and Kashmir Government among MSS triggers during 2021-22 to 2025-26.
The data showed that JK generated four MSS triggers in 2021-22, none in 2022-23, seven in 2023-24 and 13 in 2024-25. No trigger was recorded for the Union Territory in 2025-26. Of the 24 triggers generated during the five-year period, one resulted in confirmation of unauthorised mining following field verification.
Nationally, the MSS generated 679 triggers during 2021-22 to 2025-26, of which 42 cases of unauthorised mining were confirmed by State Governments after field verification.
Goa recorded the highest number of confirmed cases at 17, followed by Gujarat with seven and Madhya Pradesh with six. Andhra Pradesh recorded four confirmed cases, while Tamil Nadu recorded three. Karnataka recorded two cases, and Maharashtra and Rajasthan recorded one each.
The Ministry said MSS is a supplementary mechanism for detecting suspected unauthorised mining, with alerts sent to the respective State Governments for field verification. Verification is carried out by district-level officials of the concerned State Governments.
Under Section 23C of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, State Governments are empowered to frame rules for preventing illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals and to take enforcement action.
The Union Government said details of penalties imposed and minerals recovered or compensation realised in cases arising from MSS triggers are maintained by the respective State Governments. It therefore did not provide consolidated State-wise figures on penalties or recoveries in its reply.
The Ministry also stated that enforcement against illegal mining falls within the purview of State Governments, which are responsible for taking action after unauthorised mining is established through field verification.
