Ranchi, July 27: Chief secretary A.K. Singh has directed deputy commissioners (DCs) and superintendents of police (SPs) to launch a major crackdown on illegal mining across the state. In a letter to DCs and SPs today, he held them responsible for rampant mining of iron ore, coal, et al in this mineral-rich state. Illegal mining and transportation of iron ore and coal have fuelled corruption in Jharkhand. A major portion of the Rs 2,000 crore money laundering scam involving former chief minister Madhu Koda was traced to recommendation for iron ore leases in West Singhbhum. Maintaining that the state had always taken serious note of illegal mining, Singh said a special task force at the state and district levels had been constituted in the past.