Not a single mining permit
issued in State since 2009!
* Half of the notified areas and applications received for mining permit in State are in Vidarbha region alone
By Kartik Lokhande/The Hitavada
Democratic Front (DF) Government’s claims of
being committed to development of mineral-rich Vidarbha region appear to
be hollow, if one goes by official data on processing of mining and
prospecting licences. Since August 31, 2009, not a single application
for grant of mining and prospecting licences has been processed to the
Central Government. As a result, not a single mining permit has been
issued in State in past over four years, blocking mineral exploration
and related industrial development.
In recent past, the Opposition constituent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
as well as the ruling alliance partner Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
have been expressing strong displeasure over Chief Minister Prithviraj
Chavan not clearing files of many developmental projects. In cabinet
meeting also, some of the ministers had expressed strong resentment over
pendency of files related to industrial development of the State. NCP
chief Sharad Pawar was quite vocal about his criticism of Chavan over
pendency of files awaiting disposal. As far as mining issues are
concerned, Chavan has kept the portfolio of Mines with himself.
 |
| Published in The Hitavada CityLine on December 19, 2013 |
The latest official data on mining activity in the State reveals one
more shocking aspect of the story. As per the official documents, in
possession of ‘The Hitavada’, the last recommendatory proposal processed
by Maharashtra Government to the Central Government dates back to
August 31, 2009. As per the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 (as amended
up to May 5, 2005), the State has to dispose of application for grant of
mining lease within 12 months from the date of receipt of the
application. Similarly, the application for reconnaisance permit and
prospecting licence are to be disposed of within six and nine months
respectively from the date of application.
The information obtained under Right to Information Act reveals that
between January 1, 2005 and July 31, 2013; State Government conducted
hearings pertaining to 71 mining areas under Mines and Minerals
(Development and Regulation) Act. During the same period, after
processing of these applications to the Central Government, the latter
granted approval in 27 cases. However, the last proposal was sent to the
Central Government on August 31, 2009.
Interestingly, official data reveals, between November 9, 2006 and July
31, 2013; Directorate of Geology and Mining had notified 307 areas in
the State and had received 8,105 applications for mining and prospecting
licences. Of these, 151 notified areas were in Vidarbha attracting
5,058 applications for licences. According to sources, for each
application of mining lease, an applicant has to pay a fees of Rs 2,500.
Considering that, Maharashtra Government has collected application fees
of Rs 2,02,62,500 in State. Of this, an amount of Rs 1,26,45,000 has
been collected through applications for notified areas in Vidarbha
alone. Thus, over half of the notified areas and applications in State
are from Vidarbha region.
Sources in Industries Department said that the areas notified for mining
in Vidarbha are in Nagpur, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Yavatmal, Bhandara,
Gondia, and Amravati districts. These areas have major minerals like
Gold, Zinc, Lead in Nagpur and Bhandara districts; and Dolomite,
Limestone, Manganese, Iron Ore, Sillimanite, Kynite, Flouride, Barite,
Granite etc. The estimated worth of the mineral deposits in Vidarbha is a
whopping Rs 3,633 lakh crores.
Because of non-issuance of even a single mining lease in Vidarbha, this
region is failing to attract investors and industrialists. While the
Maharashtra Government has been claiming to be working towards
attracting investment to this region, it has failed in taking
appropriate steps required for the same. It appears that it has kept its
exercise restricted only to organising events like ‘Advantage
Vidarbha’, and has done nothing on ground.
As a result, sources added, investors have started shifting to adjoining
states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The data with Union Ministry
of Mines reveals that Madhya Pradesh has processed to Central
Government 42 cases so far in 2013 alone. Similarly, Chhattisgarh has
processed four cases this year and has been processing cases for mining
and prospecting licences every year since 2008.
Notified areas, applications received in Maharashtra
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District Notified areas No of applications
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Nagpur 39 1,565
Chandrapur 31 342
Gadchiroli 22 1,089
Yavatmal 22 414
Bhandara 27 1,210
Gondia 09 420
Amravati 01 18
Sindhudurg 04 144
Ratnagiri 112 1,750
Kolhapur 28 1,100
Raigad 06 53
Beed 01 --
Jalna 02 --
Aurangabad 03 --
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Total 307 8,105
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