allocation of iron ore mines in jharkhand

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=54897
Mining without NOC

LOK SABHA

The Minister of Mines and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (Shri B.K. Handique) has said that state government grants mineral concession in respect of specified minerals listed in the First Schedule of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957. The existing provisions in Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 allow an applicant to submit the NOC before the commencement of mining operations. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, he said as such even at present there is no requirement that NOC has to be obtained before applying for mining lease. The National Mineral Policy, 2008 has given certain policy directions and an exercise is underway to give legislative backing to the policy.

AD/AK

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=55301
Allocation of iron ore mines in Jharkhand

RAJYA SABHA

The Minister of Mines and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region Shri B.K. Handique has said that reports of some cases of misuse of power in allocation of mineral resources have been noticed by Government in case of iron ore allotment pertaining to Jharkhand, have recently come to the notice of the Ministry of Mines. However, specific details thereof have not come to the notice of the Ministry. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today, he said that the State Governments are the owner of the minerals located within their respective boundaries. They grant the mineral concessions [Reconnaissance Permit (RP), Prospecting Licence (PL) and Mining Lease (ML)] under the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957. Prior approval of the Central Government is required under Section 5 (1) of the Act for grant of RP, PL and ML in respect of the minerals specified in Parts ‘B’ and ‘C’ of the First Schedule to the Act. Subsequent to the prior approval of the Central Government, mining leases etc. are executed by the State Governments with the mining agencies after they obtain all statutory clearances and approvals.

He said that the Ministry of Mines is conscious of the need to have a transparent and efficient system for processing the mineral concession cases. In pursuance of the National Mineral Policy, 2008, which inter alia enunciates adoption of quick and transparent procedures for grant of mineral concessions, the Ministry has taken several steps in this direction, as mentioned below:

i. A Central Coordination-cum-Empowered Committee has been constituted in the Ministry of Mines to monitor and minimize delays in grant of approvals for mineral concessions. The Committee consists of the Central Ministries/Departments concerned and the Secretaries in charge of Mining & Geology in the States. The first meeting of the Committee was held in the Ministry on 24.7.2009. The second meeting of the Committee is scheduled to be held on 22.12.2009.

ii. The State Governments have been advised to similarly constitute Coordination Committees at the State level.

iii. The Ministry of Mines is using the internet services to bring about more accessibility and transparency in processing the mineral concession proposals recommended by the State Governments. The website of the Ministry (www.mines.nic.in) provides all information on the current status of the applications for mineral concessions. These services are being further enhanced to track the process from approval for grant to execution of concession agreement.

iv. The Ministry has, in consultation with the State Governments, issued detailed guidelines on 24.6.2009 in order to bring more clarity in processing the mineral concession proposals.

v. The Ministry has framed a Model State Mineral Policy and circulated it to all State Governments on 12.10.2009 with the request to finalise and adopt a Mineral Policy as per their priority and requirements.

vi. Procedures for revision under Section 30 of the MMDR Act, 1957 are being streamlined to reduce delays in disposal of revision applications.

vii. All instances of corruption and illegal practices coming to notice are taken up with State Governments with utmost seriousness and followed up.

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NSK/AK