Tomar for rational mining, transparent allocation on mines

Rational utilisation of country's mineral reserves, transparent policy for mines allocation and better coordination with states to curb the menace of illegal mining will be top priorities for Narendra Singh Tomar, who assumed charge of Mines Ministry today.
Also among his agenda is removing hurdles for grant of long-pending mining licenses.
"Mines sector is very important for the nation. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it will be our endeavour to ensure rational mining of mineral resources in order to not only conserve the same but also to protect environment," Tomar told reporters.
He stated that mines allocation will be through a transparent policy.

"I will hold a meeting with department officials for it as I have been coming across reports of irregularities in allotments through media and other sources," he added.
Tomar has been given charge of Steel, Mines and Labour and Employment Ministries. Also present with him was Minister of State for Mines and Steel Vishnu Deo Sai.

On the issue of illegal mining, he said his government "in consultation with states will work in such a fashion that the menace is curbed. There will be a better coordination with the states."
About 99,000 cases of illegal mining were reported in 20 states in 2012-13. In 2011-12, the number of cases stood at about 96,000 while the same were recorded at about 78,000 in 2010-11.

He said that states will be asked to expedite leases pending for want of regulatory hurdles, green nod etc.
About 63,395 mineral concession applications are pending with Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Tamil Nadu.
Out of these, 42,861 were pending for mining leases (ML), 19,891 for prospecting licenses (PL) and 643 for reconnaissance permits (RP) with these states. Rules stipulate disposal of RP within six months, PL within nine months and ML within 12 months.
An ML is granted for undertaking operations for extracting minerals while PL is granted for undertaking operations for purpose of exploring. RP, on the other hand, is granted for preliminary prospecting of a mineral through regional, aerial and geophysical surveys.