Gandhinagar (PTI): Increased monitoring and constant vigil on irregularities in mining sector in Gujarat has led to recovery of Rs 11.76 crore as penalty imposed for mineral pilferage, mining department officials has said.

"From January to October, we have detected 6,518 cases of mineral theft, illegal transportation and stocking of minerals in the state," Additional Director (flying squad) Himanshu Parikh of the Mining Department said.

"The department has recovered more than Rs 11.76 crore till October 31... The flying squads of the department detected 537 cases of mineral theft and made recovery of over Rs 6.14 crore while districts officials have detected 5918 such cases and recovered more than Rs 5.61 crore.

"In total, the department has detected 6,518 cases and recovered over Rs 11.76 crore, which is considerably higher than number of cases and recovery made last year," he said.

Last year total 5,963 cases of mineral theft were registered and Rs 6.38 crore were recovered as penalty.

"We do not spare anyone from small contractors to big companies," the officials in the department said.

A control room has been set up in the commissionerate of geology and mining department where anyone can inform the department regarding illegal activities, Parikh said.

"In July last, we set up a control room where we received 43 complaints pertaining to illegal mineral exploration, transportation and stock," he said, adding that the flying squad and district officials have carried out raids and recovered Rs 16.68 lakh based on the complaints.

The department has also started compulsory registration of traders and stockists engaged in mineral related activities and has so far made 1,100 such registrations, Parikh added.