The Government of Himachal Pradesh, on January 15, 2026, issued the Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) and Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Eighth Amendment Rules, 2026, to further amend the Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) and Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2015.
The following amendments have been stated namely:-
• In rule 2, sub-rule (1), for clause (h), the following shall be substituted, namely:- "(h)'Competent Authority' means such authority as the Government may declare to be the Competent Authority for the purpose of these rules and in case of Forest Land, the Principle Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Himachal Pradesh State Forest Department shall be the Competent Authority;".
• In rule 7, for the word "State Geologist", the word shall be substituted, namely:- "Competent Authority".
• In rule 15, for sub-rule (1), the following shall be substituted, namely:- "(1) The applicant shall deposit as security a sum as specified in the First Schedule in the shape of fixed deposit receipt (FDR) duly pledged in favour of the Director or PCCF as the case may be, for due observance of terms and conditions of Lease deed.".
[Notification No. Ind-11(F)6-11/2024-11]
