HP Govt committed to streamline mining: Industries minister

Himachal Industries Minister Mukesh Agnihotri today said the government is committed to streamline the mining sector and warned that those found guilty of violating the rules and guidelines would face stern action.
The state government has strengthened the legal framework besides strengthening the machinery for inspection and enforcement.
It has also implemented the amended mineral policy (2013), making it incumbent upon the concerned departments to file FIR in case of damage to the properties of public works, irrigation and public health, revenue and other departments, he said.
Agnihotri further said that River/Stream Bed Mineral Policy Guidelines-2004 have been incorporated in this policy to make it more realistic and added that minor mineral sites are being auctioned in a transparent manner to meet the burgeoning demand of construction material like sand, stone, grit,etc.

The steps taken by the government have not only curbed illegal mining but also earned revenue to the state exchequer.
47 selected mining sites have been auctioned in a transparent manner and yielded a revenue of Rs 35.68 crore, he said while disclosing that auction process for rest of the districts was in pipeline and remaining quarries will be auctioned in near future.

Agnihotri said that in order to facilitate the applicants to obtain mineral concession, the state government has decided to issue Letter of Intent, enabling the applicant to obtain pre-requisite environmental clearances.
He said that keeping in view, that usually the transportation of illegally mined produce was done during the night, ban has been imposed on plying of heavy transport vehicles in border areas from 8 PM to 6 AM.

At least150 roads used for illegal mining have been identified and closed.
Agnihotri said that new Minor Mineral Rules, 2015 had been notified tostreamline the process of exploiting minor minerals, providing forprosecution, imposition of heavy penalties and fine up to Rs 50,000 for various violations.
The state government has detected 29,371 cases of illegal mining during its present tenure and imposed a fine of Rs 14.56 crore on violators as compared to only 16,376 cases of illegal mining detected and mere Rs 4.94 crore fine imposed during the five years tenure of the previous BJP Government.
Agnihotri said that in order to decentralise the powers

under the Mining Acts to take cognisance of illegal mining activities, the Government has delegated powers to 39 officers/officials of different categories and various departments like Revenue, HPPWD,I and PH, Industries, BDOs, RTOs, etc., to check illegal mining.
He said that it is also incumbent upon these departments to lodge FIR against the offenders causing damage to their properties.
A sub-divisional level flying squad headed by concerned SDM, having DSP and ACF as members has also been constituted to conduct raids against illegal mining, he added.
Industries Minister said that in order to ensure accountability and to exercise greater control on illegal mining activities, the department of Industries has evolved an inspection and reporting system in the hierarchical order.

Under this system, every officers of the department would have to undertake inspections of crusher/leases on mandated frequency and report to his immediate superior about the action taken by him in the field against illegal mining.
He said that the role of each and every official of the mining department has been defined and non-performing of duties would invite disciplinary action against such officials.
Further, the role and performance of every field officer would be reviewed at the directorate level.
Agnihotri said that all the Deputy Commissioners have also been asked to convene monthly meetings of all the duty holders to review the action taken by them against illegal mining.