Chandigarh: Punjab mining and geology minister Barinder Kumar Goyal on Thursday launched crusher owner mining sites in Punjab, starting from Pathankot district.Addressing a press conference here, Goyal said, “This initiative will ensure adequate availability of sand and aggregates in the market and further tighten enforcement to curb illegal mining across the state.“
On the occasion, agreements for two such sites were signed in the presence of Goyal, crusher owners, land owners and senior departmental officials. Goyal said, “These two sites together will cover an area of 4.46 hectares. With the signing of these agreements, the department operationalised a structured framework that links mineral extraction directly with registered crushing units under approved mining plans and environmental safeguards.“He said, “The operationalisation of crusher owner mining sites will significantly enhance the authorised supply of minor minerals, which in turn will stabilise and rationalise market rates.”Explaining the framework, Goyal said, “A crusher owner mining site is operated by a registered crusher owner on his own land, leased land or land held through valid power of attorney, strictly as per the approved mining plan, district survey report and environmental clearance. A land owner mining site allows a land owner to undertake mining on eligible land, subject to statutory approvals and environmental compliance.“Under the new mining policy, he said, “A total of 138 applications for crusher owner mining sites and 25 applications for land owner mining sites were received from across the state. Out of these, 44 sites covering 305.59 hectares fall within the approved district survey report. Environmental clearance for 14 sites covering 79.74 hectares was already secured. Clearance for all 44 approved sites is expected by March 31, following which these sites will be made operational in a phased manner.“He said, “The remaining 119 sites will be rolled out in a phased manner by this year after completion of all statutory approvals and environmental clearances.”He added, “The increased legal supply will not only strengthen revenue generation for the state exchequer but also improve regulation of the mining sector.” He added, “The govt follows a zero-tolerance policy against illegal mining and strict action will be taken against anyone found involved in unlawful activities.”Ends MSID:: 128814741 413 |
