Congress targets MP govt over ₹306 crore mining dues, lease renewals
Synopsis
Congress leader Umang Singhar has alleged that the Madhya Pradesh government renewed mining leases for operators who collectively owe ₹305.97 crore in unpaid penalties — and that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who personally holds the Mineral Resources portfolio, must answer for it. The Gwalior High Court bench has already sought a government response within a week, putting the BJP administration under mounting legal and political pressure.
Key Takeaways
Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar alleged on 30 June that Madhya Pradesh mining leaseholders owe pending penalties of ₹305.97 crore .
Singhar claimed the Mohan Yadav government renewed mining leases instead of recovering the dues.
The Gwalior Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has reportedly sought the government's response within one week.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also holds the Mineral Resources portfolio , making him directly accountable, according to Congress.
The allegations follow a separate land controversy involving the CM's family, intensifying the Congress-BJP political standoff in the state.
The state government had not issued an official response as of the time of reporting.
The Indian National Congress on Tuesday, 30 June sharpened its offensive against the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Madhya Pradesh, with Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar alleging that the state administration was renewing mining leases for leaseholders who collectively owe pending penalties of nearly ₹305.97 crore. Singhar made the allegations at a press conference in Bhopal, calling the move a direct favour to what he termed the 'mining mafia.'
What Singhar Alleged
Addressing reporters, Singhar claimed that rather than recovering the outstanding dues or initiating punitive action, the Mohan Yadav-led government was extending mining leases to the same leaseholders. He pointed to proceedings before the Gwalior Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, noting that the court had reportedly sought the government's response within a week.
'The Mohan Yadav government appears to be overly lenient towards the mining mafia. Outstanding penalties amounting to approximately ₹305.97 crore are owed by the state's mining mafia. Yet, instead of recovering these penalties or taking action, the government is renewing their mining leases,' Singhar alleged.
Demand for Accountability
The Congress leader demanded that the government recover the dues and publicly disclose the details of all lease renewals. He specifically called out Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who also holds the Mineral Resources portfolio, to explain the renewals. 'First the land issue in Ujjain, and now extending leases for the mining mafia without recovering the outstanding ₹305 crore. CM Mohan Yadav, you yourself hold the portfolio of Minister for Mineral Resources; you are the one who must answer for this,' Singhar wrote in a post on X.
Broader Political Context
The mining allegations come amid an escalating confrontation between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh. In recent days, the Congress had already targeted Chief Minister Yadav over a separate land matter allegedly involving his family members — charges the BJP dismissed as baseless and politically motivated. The latest mining lease controversy has added a new front to that political battle.
Government Response Awaited
As of the time of reporting, the Madhya Pradesh state government had not issued an official response to Singhar's allegations regarding the pending mining penalties and lease renewals. The Madhya Pradesh High Court's Gwalior Bench had reportedly set a one-week deadline for the government's reply, making an official statement imminent. The Congress has said it will continue to press for transparency in the state's handling of mineral resources.
Point of View
When, and whether due-diligence checks on pending penalties were bypassed. Until that data is public, both sides are operating in an information vacuum — and the mining sector in Madhya Pradesh, long dogged by opacity, remains a governance blind spot.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Congress allegations against the Madhya Pradesh government over mining leases?
Congress Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar has alleged that the Madhya Pradesh government renewed mining leases for leaseholders who collectively owe pending penalties of ₹305.97 crore, instead of recovering the dues first. He accused the government of favouring the 'mining mafia' and demanded full public disclosure of all lease renewals.
Who is responsible for the Mineral Resources portfolio in Madhya Pradesh?
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav holds the Mineral Resources portfolio in addition to his role as CM. Congress has argued this makes him directly accountable for the lease renewal decisions and the non-recovery of the alleged ₹305.97 crore in penalties.
What is the Madhya Pradesh High Court's role in this matter?
According to Singhar, the Gwalior Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has taken cognisance of the matter and reportedly sought the state government's response within one week. The court's involvement could compel the government to publicly account for its mining lease decisions.
Has the Madhya Pradesh government responded to the allegations?
As of 30 June, the state government had not issued an official response to Singhar's allegations about pending mining penalties and lease renewals. A response is expected given the High Court's reported deadline.
How do these mining allegations fit into the broader political situation in Madhya Pradesh?
The mining lease controversy is the latest in a series of opposition attacks on the BJP government. Congress had previously targeted CM Mohan Yadav over a land matter allegedly involving his family, which the BJP dismissed as politically motivated. The mining issue has opened a second front in an already heated political confrontation.
