States delaying issue of mining permits, says Union minsiter

Union Minister for Steels and Mines Narendra Singh Tomar has said that some state governments were delaying issue of permits for mining.

Speaking to reporters here on Friday, the minister said that as many as 66,000 applications seeking permission for mining were pending when the BJP came to power at the centre. A meeting of the chief ministers concerned was held to expedite these applications. It was emphasised that delay in granting permission would cast an adverse effect on the gross domestic product of the nation.

“However, barring Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, there has been no change in the situation in other states. The mining firms need not wait for months together after obtaining the lease of mining area from the centre. The state governments can approve the project after confirming compliance with the rules of Indian Bureau of Mines,” he said.

The state governments have also been delegated the power for extending the lease by 10 years for mining companies which have completed 20-year lease, the minister added.