JODHPUR, Dec. 5 -- Expressing displeasure over rampant illegal mining, the Rajasthan high court has put an immediate stop to all short-term mining permit operations across the state. It also warned that if illegal mining is found anywhere under the guise of short-term permits, the concerned mining engineer will be held responsible, a lawyer familiar with the matter said on Thursday. The division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and justice Baljinder Singh Sandhu passed the order on Tuesday while hearing a public interest litigation filed by residents of Amla village in Lohawat, Phalodi. The petitioners alleged that companies engaged in road construction and other projects were continuing mining even after the expiry of their short-term permits. "It is informed that short term permits were granted by the State for mining to various Companies, and they continue to do mining activities even after the expiry of the term and there is no control of the mining department on such activities. The illegal mining is found to be rampant. The procedure of giving short term permits, prima facie, is found to be wrongful creating a situation where illegal mining continues," the bench noted. "We, therefore, restrain all the short term permits granted by the State to operate till the next date of hearing. If it is noticed that any short term permit is being continued, the concerned police authorities shall immediately cease such mines and the Mining Department shall take charge of it so that no illegal mining is continued. The concerned Mining Engineer would be personally responsible if such activities are allowed to continue. He shall also inform the Court about the short term permits having been granted by him to companies in the last year and whether they are still continuing mining activities after their period of permit ended. This order shall apply for the entire State of Rajasthan," the bench ordered. The case will next be heard on December 10....