New guidelines issued by Andhra Pradesh government to prevent illegal sand and mineral mining

The Andhra Pradesh government has issued comprehensive interim guidelines to curb illegal mining and transportation of sand and other minerals across the state. The primary objective of these new rules is to strengthen inter-departmental coordination. Under these guidelines, clear responsibilities have been assigned to various departments, with provisions for time-bound grievance redressal, joint field inspections, strict enforcement measures, and fixing accountability for officers showing negligence in duty.

The order (G.O. Ms.No. 278) was issued by Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad. This decision has been taken in compliance with the directions of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in a Public Interest Litigation (W.P. (PIL) No. 227 of 2026) filed against the State Government by Amchi Krishna Mohan regarding illegal sand mining in Bapatla district. In its order dated 1 October, 2026, the High Court had directed the government to formulate effective guidelines to prevent illegal mining and fix the accountability of officers responsible for enforcement.

The government order also presented previous statistics. Between July 2024 and July 2026, the Department of Mines and Geology recorded 2,113 cases related to sand violations, for which a penalty of ₹6.24 crore was imposed. During this period, 117 vehicles were blacklisted and 21 FIRs were also registered. Meanwhile, 9,120 violation cases were recorded in the minor minerals sector, with a penalty amount of ₹340.90 crore.

As per the new rules, it has been made mandatory for field-level officers responsible for the respective land to conduct regular inspections and proactively report illegal activities without waiting for any complaint. The Water Resources Department has been instructed to inspect riverbeds and reservoirs, the Revenue Department to oversee government revenue lands, the Forest Department to inspect forest lands, and the Panchayat Raj Department to monitor lands under its jurisdiction.

All complaints received through helplines, vigilance apps, applications, and other official channels, as well as through print, electronic, and digital media, will be recorded by the District Mines and Geology Officer (DMGO) with a unique case ID. Complaints received by officers of other departments must also be forwarded immediately to the DMGO. Concerned departments must provide land classification, ownership details, and geographical coordinates within three working days of receiving a request and verify every complaint through joint field inspections.

Where violations are proven, authorities must initiate appropriate legal action. This includes preventing further illegal mining, assessing the quantity excavated and revenue loss, recovery of fines, seizure and blacklisting of vehicles, registration of FIRs, action against leases and permits, and recovery of dues under the Revenue Recovery Act. Superintendents of Police have been directed to provide necessary protection to enforcement teams and ensure the registration of FIRs in criminal offences.

Additionally, a district-level task force will be activated under the chairmanship of District Collectors. This will include the SP, Joint Collectors, officers from Mines and Geology, and representatives from the Revenue, Forest, Water Resources, Panchayat Raj, Transport, Ground Water, and Pollution Control departments as members.

Andhra Pradesh is a state located on the coast of South India. It is known for its agriculture, mineral resources, and coastal areas. The responsibility for managing and controlling mineral and sand resources in the state rests with various government departments.