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The draft Land Acquisition Bill needs to be reviewed as land acquisition for mining and infrastructure projects is becoming increasingly difficult, say experts from Mining Engineers Association of India (MEAI).
According to them, a simplified and easily implementable legislation is required with provision for adequate compensation to land losers.
After the technical deliberations and discussions during a recently held National Conference on Mining, Environment and Allied Issues, MEAI, an apex body of mining experts have forwarded certain recommendations to the higher authorities in this regard.
The recommendations include key issues of MMDR & legislation, Exploration, Mining Technology, Mineral Dressing, Environment, Forest and Mine Closure.
MEAI sources said that the recommendations press for seamless process during grant and renewal of mining leases and transparent allocation of mineral concessions and coal blocks.
The difficulties being faced by the mining lease holders in surrendering part of lease or for merger of two contiguous leases, should be looked into and considered by the state Governments and appropriate action need to be taken, the recommendations said, according to Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), Controller General, C.S. Gundewar.
The mining regulatory mechanism has virtually collapsed, sources said.
Reports of illegal mining activity in various mining belts of the country indicate near collapse of the mining regulatory regime, one of the causes being non-appointment of qualified and experienced officers in different regulatory organisations, vis-à-vis the size of the industry and the number of mines in operation, Gundewar told PTI.
The regulatory departments and administrative ministries should be strengthened by appointing qualified and experienced regulatory officers as well as legal experts in both at Central and State levels to undertake mine inspections and further follow-up action. There is an urgent need for simplification of procedure for grant of Environmental clearance and period consumed can be substantially reduced, he said.
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