SHIMLA | Sept 15, 2016: To maintain transparency in auction of mining sites, Himachal Pradesh government is going for the open auction of mineral quarries. Recently 14 minor mineral quarries were auctioned for Rs 3.95 crore in Hamirpur district. Similarly, 13 quarries were auctioned in Kangra district for Rs 2.21 crore and 20 quarries were auctioned in Sirmour district for Rs 29 crore.
A senior official of mining department said that the efforts of state government have transparency has borne fruits. Illegal mining has been curtailed and scientific mining is being encouraged. He said this has ensured easy availability of construction material for developmental works as well as for the requirement of common man and has also ensured environment conservation.
He said in order to curb illegal mining the state government has notified Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) and Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2015 on March 13 this year. Provision of stringent punishment has been made for those involved in illegal mining under which imprisonment upto two years or fine uptoRs 25,000 or both has been made for those involved in illegal mining of minerals, their transportation and holding.
The compounding offence of illegal mining has been linked with a quantity of mining illegally extracted and compounding fee of Rs 400 per metric ton is being charged from the offender, in addition to the minimum compounding fee of Rs 10,000, he added.
Official said earlier, the rate was fixed for Rs 10,000 for any quality of mineral extracted. The defaulters are being fined a minimum amount of Rs 25,000 when illegal mining is done mechanically in river/stream beds. Similarly, the compounding fee for illegal storage/stacking of mineral would not be less than Rs 25,000 plus the market sale price of the total material stored illegally on the spot.
He said that compounding fee for illegal transportation of would now be not less than Rs 4500 for tractor, Rs 7000 for medium truck/tipper, Rs 10,000 for truck of 10 MT and Rs 15,000 for truck with capacity of more than 10MT.
In the interest of environmental and mineral conservation, state government has decided to permit use of raw material and waste generated from developmental activities such as construction of roads, tunnels and power projects etc by stone crusher units. This would not only curb illegal mining but also help in meeting out the growing demand of mineral in the market.
He said state government has also notified its first State Mineral Advisory Committee under the chairmanship of Industries Minister. This Committee would ensure planned and scientific mining and gives its suggestions to the State Government for better management of mining areas.
The procedure for obtaining mining lease on private land for the brick kilns has been simplified. Joint inspections are being conducted by the concerned Sub Divisional Magistrate, Mining Officer and representative from the Pollution Control Board.
(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)