Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has instructed to set up a single window system model to resolve mining lease issues.
The Ministers of Mines and Geology, Revenue and Forest Departments and officers were instructed by CM Siddramaiah to hold monthly meetings to resolve the issues related to forest clearance and other permissions to mining companies in the model of single window system.
On July 27, CM Siddramaiah held a high-level meeting to settle the pending issues related to the Forest Department with the agencies which come under the Mines and Geology Department in the state.
On this occasion, it was discussed that many cases are pending with the Forest Department to resolve. It was identified that the reason for this was that the mining companies did not provide alternative land for afforestation. Farmers in Arasikere and other parts of the state are willing to sell their agricultural land due to elephant and other wild animal menace. The Chief Minister suggested that these companies must purchase land from such farmers and provide it afforestation.
An application has been submitted to the Government of India on Pravesh Portal for permission to carry out mineral exploration in the State through the Government of India owned KIOCL and MECL. He directed the officials of the Department of Mines and Geology to discuss with these companies to rectify the objections in these applications and get quick clearance.
Over 2.7 million metric tonnes of ore confiscated from illegal mining in the past is lying in the forest area and the CM instructed to take legal advice from legal experts for its disposal.
He suggested that the applications coming to the task force under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioners should be disposed off quickly. He suggested that a proposal to implement OTS (One Time Settlement) scheme to collect fines imposed on quarry contractors for violation of rules should be tabled in the Cabinet meeting.