“Illegal mining has become a huge problem in Madhya Pradesh as the stakes are too high and those involved get huge monetary returns by indulging in this activity.” This was pointed out by state chief secretary Avani Vaish during an informal interaction with a group of media-persons at the State Academy of Administration here on Sunday afternoon. The chief secretary, who retires at the end of April, stressed the need for joint operation against the illegal miners and said there should be a coordinated initiative by revenue, police and forest department officers whenever any raid is required to be conducted to stop illegal mining. The chief secretary said there is extensive illegal mining and a large part of this problem is linked to the complicated procedure for issuing mining licences. To curb the illegal mining, it is necessary to simplify the procedure so that the licence for minor minerals could be issued promptly within a week or two, State director-general of police Nandan Dube said on this occasion that a lot has been said (in the media) about the murder of young IPS officer Narendra Kumar in Morena district. The CBI is investigating the case and would be unravelling the findings before the court. He agreed that there have been assaults on government officers. He also underlined the fact that people indulge in illegal mining activity in districts like Panna and Chhattarpur bordering Uttar Pradesh to take advantage of the difference in the price of sand across the border.