(a) whether State Governments have been empowered to approve mining schemes for smaller mines;
(b) if so, whether the Union Government have received representations from the State Governments to grant more powers to States by awarding Mines and Mineral (Regulation and Development Act 1957) and simplify the procedure to submit mining schemes for such mines;
(c) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(d) the reaction of the Government thereto?
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF MINES (SHRI RAMESH BAIS)
(a): Under Rule 22(4A) of the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960, State Governments have been empowered to approve mining plan of open cast mines (mines other than the under ground mines) in respect of 29 non-metallic or industrial minerals which were notified vide Gazette Notification number GSR 743(E) dated 25.9.2000, copy of which has already been laid on the Table of the House on 27.11.2000.
(b) to (d):Representation from State Governments are received from time to time for granting more powers to the State Governments under the Mines and Minerals(Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 and the Rules framed thereunder. Inter-alia , State Governments had represented to amend the elgibility qualifications for the State Government officers who could be empowered to approve mining plans and consequently, Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 have been further amended vide Gazette Notification GSR 733(E) dated 29.10.2002 to modify the eligibility qualifications of the officers of the State Governments who could be empowered to approve Mining Plan of the 29 non-metallic industrial minerals notified on 25.9.2000. Copy of the Notification dated 29.10.2002 has already been laid on the Table of the House on 26.11.2002.