JAIPUR | Jul 27, 2016: The state government is upset over the delay in framing of mining rules which in turn is resulting in revenue losses and sluggishness in the sector.
Receiving complaints from the mine owners, the government now wants mining and finance department to expedite the policy issue.
Falling earnings from the sector have alarmed the government which wanted to increase mining area from current 0.52% to 1.5%. Officials claim that dipping revenues are due to absence of any framework under which the sector can function.
"Absence of mining rules and National Green Tribunal's (NGT) mandatory provision for seeking environmental clearance have virtually stopped legal mining in the state," said a senior official.
Sources said that framing of mining rules is getting delayed due to disagreement between mines and finance departments.
Mines department's proposal, stressing on omitting the provision of auctioning of minor minerals, has been repeatedly rejected by the finance department.
Rajasthan has already issued its mineral policy but rules to implement it are yet to be finalised. A committee was also constituted to finalise the rules but in absence of consensus, this couldn't materialise. Finance department officials claim that they have reflagged points which need serious reconsideration.
"If there are any issues, then they need to be sorted out at an appropriate platform. If there are disagreements, then it is for the parent department to address them. Sitting over it is not a solution," said an official from the finance department.
The mines department is of the opinion that auctioning of minor minerals on the lines of major minerals by the Central government will not help the sector in the state.
"Auctioning is successful only for major blocks where the area is huge. Three cement blocks were put for auction once but they couldn't generate much enthusiasm," said a mines department official.
(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)