Concerned over growing cases of illegal sand mining reported from across the country and with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) maintaining a stern view on it, the Union Mines Ministry has asked state governments to find out best possible ways to curb and eliminate the activity, especially in the light of the fact that it leads to serious environmental consequences.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in fact had recently circulated a note pertaining to reforms in the mining sector and the Mines Ministry, sources informed, sought to intervene in the matter on a priority basis as the feedback is to be sent back to South Block this month itself.
Subsequently, a brain storming session was convened by the Mines Ministry late last month with all the states to discuss the matter, as sand mining is a state subject. Sources informed that a clear message was sent out during the interaction that in order to curb illegal sand mining, each state should provide details of the action taken by them on the menace over the last three years. Also they were asked to submit details with the Centre regarding number of illegal sand mining cases detected and action taken on them, as well as the latest policy formulated by them on the issue.
Sources privy to the development told The Pioneer that all the state governments have been asked to submit the aforementioned information by this week with the Mines Ministry.
They added that though over the past two years there has been a steady decline in cases of illegal sand mining owing to the strict action taken by NGT, it continues to remain a matter of grave concern, and this forced the Centre to call a meeting of all the states to chalk out ways to curb it.
During the meeting, almost all the states are learnt to have pointed out that litigation is the biggest impediment in the way of granting sand mining leases, which has led to an increase in illegal mining.
A significant aspect which stood out was the essential requirement of obtaining environmental clearance in order to indulge in sand mining activities. Sources pointed out that this pre-requisite has given a rise in cases of illegal sand mining especially in states like Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, as obtaining environmental clearance is quite difficult due to various stages involved in the entire procedure.
A need to seek clarity from the Supreme Court on whether the requirement of obtaining environmental clearance for mining minor minerals like sand in areas less than 5 Ha (hectares) is a permanent obligation, was an aspect on which states arrived at a consensus, sources privy to the development said.
On the procedure followed by various states on mining sand, two Southern states namely Tamil Nadu and Karnataka informed the Mines Ministry that they have delegated this job to their Public Works Department (PWD).
Andhra Pradesh Government informed the Centre that self help groups have been given the work of conducting sand mining in their state, while Kerala Mines and Minerals ltd, a state government entity, the state government’s officials informed the Mines Ministry.