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The Odisha government will soon sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) for implementation of mining tenement system (MTS) in the state.
The objective of MTS is to enable the process of management of data relating to areas for exploration and mining. It also aims at increasing efficiency in regulation of grant and management of mineral concessions for holistic development of mineral resources of the nation, including promoting investments and optimum utilisation of minerals.
The MoU is set to be signed by M Biswas, regional controller of mines-IBM and Deepak Mohanty, director (mines) on behalf of the state government.
According to the draft MoU, a core committee constituted by the Union ministry of mines will be authorised to oversee the development and implementation of MTS.
The MoU’s tenure will be for five years from the date of signing. On expiry, it can be renewed for one year on mutual agreement between the two parties.
The IBM’s responsibility will be to provide inputs on the design of MTS modules, offer information on the existing operating modules, designs and architecture as well as review and approve the functionality of MTS in relation to IBM specific modules. It will also monitor and test the module prior to final launch of MTS and digitize physical data available with IBM in compatible mode to MTS.
The state mining department, on the other hand, will provide inputs on the design of MTS modules related to state specific activities and offer assistance for developing interfaces for the existing software applications at state level. In addition, the mining department will follow up with the state departments of land resources and forest departments and prioritize digitisation of cadastral and forest maps.
The MTS solution would be developed centrally and developed in a decentralised environment, incorporating the state specific customisations and configurations like work flows and codification of standards and convention. MTS will facilitate electronic exchange of data between Central and state mining departments.
There would be zero financial obligation on the state government in the development and implementation stage of MTS.
The choice will be on the state mining department either to adopt the MTS in entirety or select specific modules which would be made available as an online service or develop interfaces which may be integrated with MTS to facilitate electronic exchange of data.
