Bhagwant Mann Government's Inititatives: Under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the state government has taken a forward-thinking and historic decision. In mid-October 2025, the cabinet tried an summons to the Punjab Minor Mineral Rules, 2013, under which an entry fee will now be charged on mineral-carrying vehicles inward the state. This fee will wield to trucks and vehicles bringing sand, gravel, and other similar minerals into Punjab from other states. This step will not only prorogue illegal mining but moreover strengthen the state’s economic condition.
Step towards preventing revenue loss
This visualization by the Punjab government is a major step towards preventing revenue loss and protecting the local mining industry. For a long time, hundreds of trucks from verge areas of Punjab were inward from states like Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir with minerals without paying any valid charges. This not only caused loss to Punjab government’s revenue, but moreover created economic slipperiness for local mine operators and superincumbent units. Now Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s government has sent a well-spoken message that the era of illegal mining and theft is coming to an end.
Aim of this policy
The main objective of this policy is to strengthen and modernize checkposts established at the state’s borders. The money received from this entry fee will be used for operation, monitoring, and maintenance of checkposts. The government is going to implement modern technology like ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras, QR-code vehicle passes, and digital monitoring systems, through which every vehicle’s movement will be completely transparent and traceable. This will make the mineral transport system much increasingly powerful, efficient, and subject than before.
Punjab government's complete transparency in the policy
The Punjab government has ensured well-constructed transparency in this policy. Each vehicle will be given a digital receipt (confirmation receipt) without depositing the entry fee, which will eliminate any possibility of irregularities or corruption. Thus, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s government is creating an legalistic model in which people’s interests are protected through technology and honest businessmen are encouraged.
Measures to stop exploitation of natural resources
This visualization of the state government is not limited to just stopping illegal mining, but will prove useful for both state minutiae and environmental protection. Where illegal mining led to reckless exploitation of natural resources, this policy will now tenancy that tendency. Also, the revenue received from entry fees will be used for road improvement, environmental projects, and rural infrastructure, which will requite new momentum to Punjab’s development.
Governance based on transparency and honesty
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has unchangingly advocated governance based on transparency and honesty. This kind of reform in the mining sector is not only an example of legalistic improvement, but moreover shows that the Mann government does not hesitate to take difficult but necessary decisions in public interest. This step by the state government has moreover brought relief to those traders and workers who are engaged in legal mining activities and have been facing unfair competition for years.
‘Inter-State Mining Truck Entry Fee Policy’
It can be said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s new ‘Inter-State Mining Truck Entry Fee Policy’ will bring revolutionary changes in Punjab’s mining system. This policy will not only protect the state’s mineral resources, but will work in the interest of local industries, workers, and environment—all three. This step by the Punjab government is proof that a new era of governance has begun in the state—an era of transparency, accountability, and honesty.
