Prohibition on mining shouldn't be mindless: Montek

Planning Commission today said there should be a "sensible" definition of 'no-go' areas where mining activities are prohibited on account of environmental considerations.

Moreover, 'no-go' areas need not be excluded for mining activities for ever, Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said.

"If we get a sensible definition of what is 'no-go'... something that is called 'no-go' for now does not have to be 'no-go' forever. But the main point is that they should be flexible", he said on the sidelines of public-private partnership (PPP) conclave.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has divided mineral bearing regions into 'go' and 'no-go' areas. As per the guidelines, the mining is allowed only in the 'go' areas.

"The criteria that we use to establish what is 'no-go' should be very carefully defined and should be based on some scientific considerations," Ahluwalia added.

He said he has discussed the issue with environment minister Jairam Ramesh and "he (Ramesh) is quite willing to be flexible in what the criteria should be".

Coal Ministry recently sought the Cabinet approval for its proposal that mining be allowed in 90 per cent of coal blocks labelled as 'no-mining' areas by the environment ministry.

There are 206 coal blocks spread across 4,039 sq km in nine coalfields, involving a production potential of 660 million tonnes (MT), which have been designated as 'no go' areas.