Kerala Govt to go for Kerala Model for Mining Activity

26 September 2013
Thiruvananthapuram

The state government has decided to adopt the Kerala model and lift the ban on mining activities in the Konkan region imposed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) since August 16, 2010.

Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat has directed the department to consider the model adopted in Kerala where the state government has incorporated environmental safeguards recommended by the MoEF in its mining rules.

Besides Kerala, Rajasthan too claimed it made amendments to state rules to overcome the MoEF blanket ban on mining. Both the states sought to exercise their discretionary powers on mining.

Environment Minister Sanjay Deotale said: “By September end, we plan to modify our mining rules and restore mining activities by including safeguards as recommended by the MoEF and the Supreme Court. The government has already filed its affidavit on the matter in the court and is awaiting its consent.”

The revenue minister has directed his department to provide immediate relief by facilitating laterite stone mining, which takes place between October and May. Laterite stone, called chira, is used in the construction of houses in the absence of clay and cement in the area. The ban on quarrying and issuing new permits for the last three years has badly affected construction activity in Konkan and parts of western Maharashtra.

“Maharashtra wants to follow the process. But if things are delayed, we feel we will have to adopt our own mining rules which have already approved by the Cabinet,” said Deotale, adding that the Madhav Gadgil panel had visited the region to ascertain the facts. “We are awaiting a final report from the Centre. But MoEF has not given any consent,” he said.

Source– http://www.indianexpress.com/

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