The Integrated Mines & Minerals Management System (I3MS), an e-governance project being taken by the department of steel & mines for preparation of database of lessees and automation of transit permits, is expected to be fully operational by January 2012.
Phase-I of the pilot project involving the creation of data base of the lessees and licensees and issue of online transit pass in the Joda mining circle was successfully completed and testing of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) cards has been carried out.
According to Manoj Ahuja, secretary (steel & mines), all the lessees and licenses in the Joda circle were availing an online transit permit.
The pilot trial at Joda has been successfully implemented except digital signatures and payment of online royalty besides integration with railway and port authorities. Wherever required, system re-engineering was done during the implementation phase.
After the Joda circle, the project would next be rolled out in Keonjhar, Koira and Jajpur circles and subsequently be extended to other mining circles in the state.
It has also been decided to carry out a system audit by engaging a third party agency after completion of the project.
Since the online e-pass and other system re-engineering will require changes in the OMPTS Rules, the necessary rules will be examined and carried out.
The steel & mines department is preparing a network base to provide a robust and 24x7 connectivity to its four check gates from the mining office at Joda so that each transaction of mineral will be available at the check gate prior to transport. All check gates will have cameras to view the activity at the gate on the internet.
Idcol Software Ltd is developing the software for the I3MS project.
