In a significant decision, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has decided that for mining minor minerals including sand, the required environmental clearances for area below 12.50 acres could be given by district-level committees.
Notably, Chief Minister Raman Singh had requested Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change (Independent Charge) Prakash Javdekar to ease the environmental clearance process required for mining of minor minerals .
The Union Minister of State in the declaration said that the district-level committees will be headed by district collectors.
Earlier, clearances for land upto five hectares (12.50 acres) were provided by State-level committee.The decision will help residents of States to get sand required in house construction with ease.
CM Raman Singh has thanked PM Narendra Modi and Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change (Independent Charge) Prakash Javdekar for taking the decision.