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Cement plants in Arki, Sundernagar violating mining rules, says Industries Minister in Assembly
Shimla, Updated At : 14:16 PM Aug 29, 2025 IST
Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan told the Himachal Pradesh Assembly that strict action would be taken against cement plants and other industrial units found violating mining and environmental regulations. He also assured that companies would be made to spend their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds within the project area in Himachal, rather than outside the state.
Replying to a question raised by Arki MLA Sanjay Awasthi during Question Hour, Chauhan admitted that the Ambuja and UltraTech cement plants operating in Arki were “not complying with mining regulations” and had committed “multiple violations.”
“I assure the House that wherever there are mining and environmental violations, the department will take strict action against the companies. I will personally convene a meeting with the management of these units to ensure that, in consultation with the concerned MLA and panchayat representatives, they spend at least two percent of their profits within the project area under CSR,” the minister said.
Chauhan further stated that “most of these environmental violations by the Ambuja and UltraTech plants, now acquired by the Adani Group, occur at night.”
He added that the government would ensure all companies in Himachal—including cement plants, factories, and multinational firms—utilize their CSR funds within the state.
Clarifying the legal position, Chauhan said that amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 can only be made by the Centre, and the state government has no control over it. “Before 2015, the state government used to allot leases, but now even limestone mines are categorized for auction,” he explained.
So far, Ambuja has spent ₹5.38 crore and UltraTech ₹93.57 lakh in Arki under CSR, the minister informed. He admitted, however, that the state government has very limited control over CSR spending, as complete data is held by the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Efforts, he said, were being made to persuade companies to utilize CSR funds in the affected panchayats.
Giving details of enforcement, Chauhan said that 21,182 illegal mining cases had been registered up to March 31, 2025, with penalties amounting to ₹13.95 crore collected in the past two years. He also assured that the government would consider reclaiming mining leases in areas where limestone reserves have been exhausted.
MLA Sanjay Awasthi highlighted that the cement plants in Arki—Ambuja and UltraTech—were causing serious health problems due to pollution, and that CSR funds were not being spent in the affected areas. Sundernagar MLA Rakesh Jamwal also raised concerns about health issues caused by pollution from cement plants operating at night.
