39th State Geological Programming Board conclave
The 39th State Geological Programming Board meeting was held at the Conference Hall of Geological and Mining Directorate, Dimapur on September 6. (DIPR Photo)
‘Development of mineral resources requires collective effort’
Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 6
The 39th conference of the State Geological Programming Board (SGPB), 2019 was held on September 6 at the Directorate of the Geology & Mining (G&M), Dimapur.
Minister for Soil & Water Conservation and Geology & Mining V Kashiho Sangtam addressed the customary inaugural session. Commissioner & Secretary, G & M, Imjung M Panger chaired the meeting. Director of the Mizoram state Department of Geology & Mineral Resources (G&MR) Lalhmachhuana as a guest delegate made a presentation on his state’s policy on minor minerals and it implementation. Delegates from the state and Central government organizations were also in attendance.
Sangtam, in his address, underscored the significance of natural mineral resources and said that the SGPB with its expertise provides the right forum for deliberating on the problems, perspectives and rationale of geological activities in Nagaland. Such discussions, he added, would ultimately aid the state’s quest to achieve a self-sustaining economy.
While the department has made significant contribution in charting the state’s mineral resources, he said that the challenge “lies in the fact that the most resources discovered still lie unexploited.”
“The vision for economic sustainability of the state through development of its earth resources would require the collective effort and sincere will of the state government, policymakers, geoscientists and technocrats.”
From a national perspective, he said that the department together with the state has to play its role well, especially in regulation, development of infrastructure and royalty collection, to realise the vision of the National Mineral Policy 2019.
While growth has its positive impacts, he said that it also has negatives in relation to water and other resources. “There is a need to formulate judicious policies and framework and its implementation in order to face the impending challenges,” he said.
Mizoram G&MR Director Lalhmachhuana said that the two NE states share characteristics in terms of landownership, which makes the challenges of the two state’s Mining departments rather similar. It demands that “possible local confrontations are avoided” by obtaining clearance or ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the authorities in concern, he said.
He highlighted on how the applications for Mineral Concessions are verified, processed and granted. In Mizoram, he informed that pre-payment of Royalty is required after grant of permit. Revenue from Minor Minerals alone clocked at Rs. 3, 01, 93,788 in 2018-19, he informed. In 2017-18 and 2016-17, it stood at Rs 1, 94, 59,612 and Rs. 1, 73, 69,363, respectively.
As far as monitoring of the quantum of extraction and transit was concerned, he said that routine field checks are conducted district and route-wise.
He said that sand mining and quarrying come under the G&MR but there are times when it comes into conflict with state’s departments of Forests, especially when it pertains to areas under reserved forests.
Even in Nagaland, the departments of G&M and Forests are often at loggerheads over jurisdiction on minor minerals.
