Centre asks states to evolve fair mining system

Union Steel and Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, who is schedule to visit Bangalore on July 4 to meet Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, is likely to raise illegal mining activities in the state and steps taken to put an end the menace.

Tomar, who will visit Bangalore as part of his tour to mineral rich states to seek their co-operation for evolving a transparent system of allocating mines, is also expected to raise the pending mining leases issue in Karnataka.

‘Curb illegal mining’

The minister is also likely to discuss about the steps taken by the State government on curbing illegal mining activities and adopting transparent system in granting mining permission.

With the large number of applications seeking permission to excavate ore are pending in Karnataka, the minister is expected to request the chief minister to give early clearances.

In Karnataka alone, 16,446 applications seeking fresh mining leases are pending before the government.

Transparent system

Tomar had already written to mineral rich states including Karnataka seeking their cooperation for evolving a transparent system of allocating mines and bringing amendments to the more than half-a-century old mining law, an official statement said.

Expressing concern over negative public perception with regard to mining, Tomar has urged states to come together to evolve a “transparent and efficient system of allocation of leases along with a robust regulatory framework that best serves India’s interests”.