Dimapur, July 26 (MExN): The government has suspended new Coal Prospecting License (CPL) in virgin areas and has asked all CPL holders to obtain Coal Mining Lease (CML) before the start of the next mining season. The Geology & Mining department issued a notification today informing of the suspension, as well as a number of related restrictions concerning mining.
Geology & Mining Commisisoner & Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen notified of the suspension of new CPL and directed all CPL holders to obtain CML before the start of the new mining season. Extraction of coal is disallowed to any coal operators who have no valid CML or Short-Term Mining License (STML). Mines will be closed until they obtain CML, the commissioner said. The flying squad and district officers in coordination with the local administration and police have been authorized to issue mine closure notices to all illegal coal operators/coal prospecting license holders not to extract coal without having valid CMLs or STMLs.
“Henceforth, no CPL holder will be allowed to use heavy mining machinery in their prospecting areas except drilling machine, compressor and its accessories. However, for construction of approach road to the prospecting area/mining lease area, one bulldozer and one excavator will be allowed exclusively for construction of approach road under the strict supervision of the concerned district officer who shall be held responsible if any such activity prevails under his jurisdiction without officially reporting to the authority,” the department ordered.
In addition, coal challan (CC) will be issued to check gates, but only against those coal-carrying trucks belonging to CML holders. Coal-carrying trucks not having valid CML will be seized and a penalty of 10 times the normal royalty would be imposed, the order stated. CML or STML holders are directed to strictly implement the provisions of the mining plan, environmental management plan, progressive mine closure plan and final mine closure plan.
The Forest department/NSPCB are to inspect the proposed area and work out the anticipated “quantum of environmental/forestry” likely to be damaged due to mining activity. Accordingly, they are to determine the value and obtain surety or “realize certain amount” from the CML holder in the form of compensatory tax. “Compensatory tax shall be calculated on the basis of percentage from the rate of royalty, which may not exceed 10% of the rate of royalty prescribed by the state government,” the order said.
Further, a periodical joint inspection/checking by representatives comprising of the authorized officers of the Geology & Mining directorate, Nagaland State Pollution control Board and Forest & Environmental department shall be conducted to check whether the CML holders are strictly implementing the mining plan, environmental management plan, progressive mine closure plan and final mine closure plan. Penalty will be imposed and legal action taken against defaulters, the order said.
Geology & Mining Commisisoner & Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen notified of the suspension of new CPL and directed all CPL holders to obtain CML before the start of the new mining season. Extraction of coal is disallowed to any coal operators who have no valid CML or Short-Term Mining License (STML). Mines will be closed until they obtain CML, the commissioner said. The flying squad and district officers in coordination with the local administration and police have been authorized to issue mine closure notices to all illegal coal operators/coal prospecting license holders not to extract coal without having valid CMLs or STMLs.
“Henceforth, no CPL holder will be allowed to use heavy mining machinery in their prospecting areas except drilling machine, compressor and its accessories. However, for construction of approach road to the prospecting area/mining lease area, one bulldozer and one excavator will be allowed exclusively for construction of approach road under the strict supervision of the concerned district officer who shall be held responsible if any such activity prevails under his jurisdiction without officially reporting to the authority,” the department ordered.
In addition, coal challan (CC) will be issued to check gates, but only against those coal-carrying trucks belonging to CML holders. Coal-carrying trucks not having valid CML will be seized and a penalty of 10 times the normal royalty would be imposed, the order stated. CML or STML holders are directed to strictly implement the provisions of the mining plan, environmental management plan, progressive mine closure plan and final mine closure plan.
The Forest department/NSPCB are to inspect the proposed area and work out the anticipated “quantum of environmental/forestry” likely to be damaged due to mining activity. Accordingly, they are to determine the value and obtain surety or “realize certain amount” from the CML holder in the form of compensatory tax. “Compensatory tax shall be calculated on the basis of percentage from the rate of royalty, which may not exceed 10% of the rate of royalty prescribed by the state government,” the order said.
Further, a periodical joint inspection/checking by representatives comprising of the authorized officers of the Geology & Mining directorate, Nagaland State Pollution control Board and Forest & Environmental department shall be conducted to check whether the CML holders are strictly implementing the mining plan, environmental management plan, progressive mine closure plan and final mine closure plan. Penalty will be imposed and legal action taken against defaulters, the order said.
