Chandigarh, April 2– Stringent steps taken against the mining mafia in the state by Haryana Mines and Geology Minister
Chandigarh, April 2– Stringent steps taken against the mining mafia in the state by Haryana Mines and Geology Minister, Sh. Mool Chand Sharma by introducing reforms in the Department to streamline the mining activities have started showing results.
- Chandigarh, April 2– Stringent steps taken against the mining mafia in the state by Haryana Mines and Geology Minister, Sh. Mool Chand Sharma by introducing reforms in the Department to streamline the mining activities have started showing results.
- This is the reason that despite the crisis of COVID-19, the government received revenue of Rs 1,022.63 crore from mining operations during FY 2020-21, which is 31 per cent more than the previous financial year.
- In a statement issued here today, Sh. Mool Chand Sharma said that just as corona pandemic has affected the entire world similarly it has also affected the mining activities as well. However, though no mining work was done for 26 days due to the lockdown last year, getting revenue of Rs 1,022.63 crore is commendable. He said that this is the first time in the history of the Department, when the revenue from mining works has crossed the Rs 1,000 crore mark. During the year 2019-20, the revenue from mining works was Rs 702.25 crore whereas during 2018-19, revenue was Rs 583.21 crore.
- The Minister of Mines and Geology said that the State Government aims to ensure availability of construction material at reasonable prices for the common man in the state, and also to curb illegal mining. The government has taken stringent steps to bring illegal mining to zero level so as to prevent loss of revenue to the exchequer. He informed that monitoring and survey system has been enhanced at every level in the Department. The disposal of pending appeals at the government level has been expedited. In addition, there is a focus on recovery of arrears on behalf of contractors and lease holders.
- Sh. Mool Chand Sharma said that a Special Enforcement Team (SET) consisting of 55 police officers and employees of the Department has been constituted to prevent illegal mining in the State. He said that the E-ravana system for transportation of minerals is proving to be very effective in curbing illegal mining and transportation. In addition, registration of mineral-filled vehicles has been made necessary. Now, the mineral loading will be done according to the loading capacity of the vehicle, which will prevent the overloading of the vehicles.
- The Minister of Mines and Geology said that earlier contracts were awarded for big mining blocks, but the current government has decided to give contracts to small mining units or blocks with an intention to increase competition in this area and to give opportunity to small entrepreneurs as well. Also, to ensure transparency in the process of leasing or contracting mining units, e-auction has been started. He said that auctioning of four mines in Faridabad where stocks of Yamuna sand is kept will be done soon. Apart from this, the process of auctioning the empty mines in other districts is also being implemented.
- He said that realizing the difficulties faced in the mining sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions imposed by the Central Government, the State Government has awarded contract money / dead rent and rehabilitation for the period from March 25, 2020 to April 19, 2020. It has been decided to waive the amount due for the Restoration (R&R) fund. This will benefit those Mineral Concession Holders who operated the mines during the lockdown.
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