Concerned over slow progress of disposal of applications pending for mineral concession and renewal of mining leases in different States including Chhattisgarh, the Centre has called a meeting on May 15 to review the matter.
More than 63,000 applications are pending for disposal in 11 mineral bearing States. In Chhattisgarh alone, atleast 2,629 mining applications are pending with the State Government, triggering worries among the mining operators.
The process of mining concession approval has been delayed for the last one-and-half year especially after the new Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act amendment came into effect. Although the Mining Department reviews the matters every three months, there has been so far little progress. About 2,000 to 19,000 applications are pending in seven States including in Chhattisgarh.
The States where highest number of such applications are pending include Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan.
Chhattisgarh is a mineral rich State where at least 61 cases of reconnaissance permit are pending. Similarly, 1,898 prospecting lease applications and 670 mining lease applications are pending for disposal.
Apart from this, five lease and license execution cases and 11 renewal cases are pending in the State.
Most of the applications are not being disposed mainly due to want of environment clearance. The Co-ordination and Empowered Committee of the Central government will review such applications on May 15 in its meeting at Delhi.
The senior officials of the State Mining Department will attend the meeting.