Gujarat CM Orders Immediate Action Against Illegal Gauchar Mining

GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has ordered immediate and stringent action against illegal mining on Gauchar land in Mehsana, while directing an inquiry into allegations that houses allotted under government housing schemes in Patan are being illegally rented out.

Patel issued the directions during the August 2026 State SWAGAT Online programme, held on Thursday, shortly after returning from his visit to the US and Canada. The Chief Minister personally heard grievances raised by citizens and instructed officials to ensure timely and satisfactory resolution of their complaints.

Making serious note of a complaint regarding alleged illegal mining on Gauchar land in Kada village of Mehsana district, Patel directed the district administration and the Commissioner of Geology and Mining to initiate immediate action.

The Chief Minister also took note of allegations that beneficiaries of housing scheme houses in Patan district were renting out their allotted properties illegally. He instructed the Patan District Collector to conduct a detailed inquiry and take necessary action based on the findings.

“Every representation should receive a timely and appropriate resolution to the satisfaction of the complainant,” Patel told officials while reviewing the grievances.

Citizens from Gandhinagar, Aravalli, Ahmedabad, Gir Somnath, Sabarkantha and Vav-Tharad districts presented various issues during the programme. Officials concerned were directed to address the complaints without delay.

The State SWAGAT programme, conducted on the fourth Thursday of every month, provides citizens a direct platform to bring unresolved grievances before the Chief Minister.

In August, more than 171 complainants appeared before the Chief Minister’s Office under State SWAGAT. At the district and taluka levels, action was initiated on 2,285 and 3,028 representations, respectively.

Together, the three levels accounted for around 5,313 grievances during the month.

The Chief Minister’s intervention on the Mehsana mining complaint assumes significance as Gauchar land is intended primarily for common community and cattle-grazing purposes. The administration has now been tasked with examining the alleged violation and taking action under applicable rules.

Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Vikrant Pandey, Officers on Special Duty Dhiraj Parekh and Rakesh Vyas, district collectors and senior officials from various departments participated in the State SWAGAT proceedings.