(a) whether the Government are aware that the mining work at a number of bauxite, chalk, limestone , cement stone and haematite mines is going on in Madhya Pradesh, particularly in Satna and Panna districts even after expiry of the lease period;
(b) if so, the respective period for which the lease was granted for the above minerals in these two districts of Madhya Pradesh; and
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to check this illegal mining?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINES AND MINERALS
(SMT. RITA VERMA)
(a) to (c):Under the provisions of Mineral Concession Rules, 1960(MCR), application for renewal of mining lease if made twelve months prior to the expiry of the lease period, the existing mining lease continues till the concerned State Government disposes of the application for renewal of the mining lease.
Responsibility for checking illegal mining, if any, rests with the State Governments. Several provisions exist in the Mines and Minerals(Development and Regulation)Act,1957 to curb illicit mining . Moreover, to further strengthen the provisions in this regard, under recently introduced Section 23C of the Mines and Minerals(Development and Regulation)Act,1957, State Governments have been empowered to make rules for preventing illegal mining.