Rules amended to check illegal mining, boost revenue
Tribune News Service
Shimla, August 8
In a bid to generate much-needed revenue, the Cabinet today decided to amend the Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) and Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2015.
To allow auction of private lands
- Under the new provisions, suitable private lands available for mining can be put up for auction for the extraction of minerals.
- The amendments will enhance the permissible depth of mining on riverbeds from one metre to two metres.
- Besides, Rs 2 per tonne will be charged as milk cess, Rs 5 per tonne as electric vehicle charges and Rs 5 per tonne as online charges.
The Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, gave nod to several amendments that are aimed at checking rampant illegal mining across the state, which was resulting in huge losses to the state exchequer.
Under the new provisions, suitable private lands available for mining can be put up for auction for the extraction of minerals. This can be done with the consent of the land owners, who shall be offered 80 per cent of the annual bid amount.
In another significant decision, the use of machinery will be allowed for mineral excavation on riverbeds. This is expected to promote systematic, scientific and sustainable mining and help in meeting the growing demand of minerals.
The permissible depth of mining on riverbeds has also been enhanced from existing one metre to two metres. The provision has been made to allow the removal of sand and gravel from agriculture fields up to the depth of two metres after every monsoon. Besides, this will be treated as a non-mining activity.
The new amendments will further allow the government to charge Rs 5 per tonne as electric vehicle charges, Rs 5 per tonne as online charges and Rs 2 per tonne as milk cess. For the usage of materials generated through non-mining activities, a processing charge equivalent to 75 per cent of royalty — Rs 140 per tonne — shall be payable to the government.
The Cabinet has also constituted a sub-committee to address the issue of Gram Panchayat Veterinary Assistants in the Animal Husbandry Department. The panel would be chaired by Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar, while Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi and Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan would be members of the sub-committee.
