Mineral Resources, Energy, New and Renewable Energy and Public Relations Minister Rajendra Shukla met Union Minister of State for Forests and Environment (Independent charge) Prakash Javadekar in New Delhi on Wednesday. Shukla urged him to exempt mining projects of minor minerals measuring less than 5 hectares from environmental clearance. Shukla said that in the notification issued by the Central Government on September 9, 2013, environmental clearance has been made mandatory for mining projects of minor minerals covering less than 5 hectares. As a result, State’s mines of minor minerals have also come under the ambit of the notification.
Shukla informed Javadekar that the Green Tribunal had issued some guidelines and circulars regarding provisions for environmental conservation sanction for mines of minor minerals measuring less than 5 hectare. Madhya Pradesh and other State Governments which have made environmental conservation-related provisions by amending their rules pertaining to minor minerals as per these circulars, should be exempted from binding of environmental sanction.
Shukla informed Javadekar that there are about 6,897 mines of less than 5 hectares in the State. Minor minerals’ unhindered supply is necessary for construction and development works. He said that it is natural that it takes time to get sanction for mines. Due to this, availability of minor minerals for construction and development works will become difficult. This will also affect employment opportunities for state’s people, Shukla added.