Why did the BJP government validate in 2024 the same ‘100 metre’ formula that the Supreme Court had rejected in 2010? Gehlot

Jaipur। Former Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot, reacting sharply to the misleading statements issued on behalf of the BJP by Union Environment Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav and Shri Rajendra Rathore on the Aravalli issue, said that the BJP leaders are making baseless allegations to divert attention from the party’s nexus with the mining mafia and its flawed policies, even though the truth is clearly recorded in official government documents.

Shri Gehlot said it is true that in 2003, an expert committee had recommended the ‘100 metre’ definition from the perspective of livelihood and employment. Acting on this recommendation, the then state government submitted an affidavit before the Hon’ble Supreme Court on February 16, 2010. However, the Hon’ble Supreme Court rejected this definition within just three days, on February 19, 2010. He added that his government fully respected and accepted the judiciary’s order and subsequently got the Aravalli region mapped through the Forest Survey of India (FSI).

Our Congress government made serious efforts to detect illegal mining in the Aravallis by directing the use of remote sensing (satellite imagery). A budget of ₹7 crore was allocated for surveys across 15 districts. The state government entrusted the direct responsibility of curbing illegal mining to the Superintendent of Police (SP) and the District Collector. Along with the Mining Department, the police were also empowered to take action, which effectively brought illegal mining under control.

The question is: why did the present BJP government in Rajasthan, in 2024, support and recommend to a union government committee the very definition that had already been “rejected” by the Supreme Court 14 years ago in 2010? Was this done under pressure, or is there a larger game being played behind the scenes?

The former Chief Minister said that his government followed a zero-tolerance policy against illegal mining, the results of which are clearly reflected in the data:

Penalty recovery: During the Congress government’s tenure (2019–2024), penalties amounting to ₹464 crore were recovered from illegal mining operators-more than double the ₹200 crore recovered during the previous BJP government’s term (2013–2018).

Strict enforcement: The Congress government broke the backbone of the mining mafia by registering 4,206 FIRs over the past five years. Of these, a large number were filed in the first three years alone-930 FIRs in 2019–20, 760 in 2020–21, and 1,305 in 2021–22, bringing mining mafias to justice. In contrast, the current BJP government has managed to register only 508 FIRs in its first year (2024–25). This sharp decline in the number of FIRs clearly indicates the BJP government’s soft approach towards the mining mafia, which is once again boosting their confidence.

Shri Gehlot said that the Aravalli is not merely a range of hills but the lifeline of Rajasthan, acting as a natural barrier that prevents the expansion of the Thar Desert. He added that Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, who himself hails from this state, was expected to act as a protector of the Aravallis, not someone who allows their destruction. Recalling history, he said that in Khejarli, our ancestors, under the leadership of Smt. Amrita Devi, laid down their lives to protect trees and nature, and in the same spirit, the Aravallis must be protected today.