With the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Ordinance-2015 getting debatable, the State Government has decided to organise a one-day orientation programme to discuss possible implications of the Ordinance here on Wednesday. Union Mines Ministry Joint Secretary Naresh Kumar and State Mines Secretary Raj Kumar Sharma would make deliberations at the workshop which would be attended by mining officials and mines stakeholders, including industry associations, miners and mineral users.
The demands of the State Government and the Mine Owners’ Association would be discussed, sources said. The workshop will have two sessions. In the first session, the Union Joint Secretary is scheduled to explain to State Mines Department officers about salient features of the Ordinance. Similarly, various stakeholders would be apprised about the Ordinance provisions and would be asked to give their suggestions and comments.
“We had a recent meeting with some senior officials of the Mines Ministry in this regard. They agreed to our request to have a thorough discussion with State mining officials and assured us to formulate rules considering the State’s interest in mind,” said Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick. The Ordinance has extended the transitional period for captive and non-captive mines to 2030 and 2020, respectively.
Reliable sources said that the Eastern Zone Mines Owners’ Association would place its demand to fix the transitional period for both captive and non-captive mines till 2030. Apart from this, the workshop would also discuss the demands of the State Government raised at the State Mines Ministers’ meeting held recently in New Delhi, sources said. Meanwhile, Union Joint Secretary has sent his consent letter to attend the meeting.