Henceforth, the Forest and Environment department would give clearance for excavation and supply of minor minerals like sand and morum even for the areas less than five hectares.
The Government has asked the Environment Department to give clearance on application for excavation of minor minerals within one month’s time so as to enable the Revenue Department to give the final allotment.
This was decided at a high- level meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra. Since there has been a boom in the construction activities, easy and fast availability of minor minerals such as sand, morum and small stone is essential, the Chief Secretary said and asked the Revenue and Environment Departments to process and dispose of the applications within a stipulated time frame.
He said that since Supreme Court had mandated the Environment clearance for minor minerals with less than five hectares of area both in case of first allotment and renewals, the Environment Department should give clearance on the applications which are genuine cases within one month.
As per the provision, the applicants would have to directly apply to the Environment Impact Assessment Authority under the Forest and Environment Department for early examination and clearance. The Revenue Department would allot the surface right and fix the royalty on the lessees.