Kohima, August 22 (MExN): Viewing that Nagaland has considerable reserves of coal and whereas the state government is concerned about the systematic development of coal resources available in the state and their optimum utilization in industries and for other purposes and comsidering it necessary to formulate a coal policy for this purpose, the Governor has formulated the Nagaland Coal Policy, 2006.
The Nagaland Coal Policy 2006 and Nagaland Coal Mining Rules was laid at the floor of the House here today by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. The total coal reserve in Nagaland is yet to be fully proved. However, prognosticated reserve of coal in the state is about 150 million tonnes, the policy reads.
The policy also stated that un-planned extractions of coal are being carried out by private parties at a number of places, especially in Mokokchung, Wokha, Dimapur, Mon, Peren and Kohima districts.
“These rampant and unplanned mining activities have resulted in various types of accidents, health hazards, ecological and environmental degradation besides loss of coal reserves and state revenue,” the policy said.
The issue of permit for coal transportation and collection of royalty is being done by the state forest department till date, it said. However, in order to achieve the best use of available coal resources through scientific methods of mining, beneficiation and economic utilization, and also to ensure safety of the mines, the department of Geology and Mining shall take over the responsibilities for administration and management of coal mining activities in the state.
Referring to the demand and prospects of coal mining, the policy said “There are good prospects of mineral based industries in the state, using coal as either raw materials or fuel. The pocket deposits of coal located in various parts of the state could be judiciously exploited for catering to the needs of brick plants, tea gardens, domestic consumption and other upcoming industries within the state and other adjoining states like Assam, Manipur etc.”
Some of the prospective coal deposit in the state for development is Borjan Kongon Coal Mine in Mon district, small-scale Coal mines at Merakeyong in Mokokchung district, setting up of small scale/cottage coal mining/open cast mines in various parts of the state.
Among the objectives and strategies of the state coal policy is to search and prove commercial reserves of coal wealth in the state, to develop and exploit coal resources keeping in view the interest of the people and state as a whole, to encourage and facilitate private investors/entrepreneurs both from outside as well as within the state, for exploration and exploitation of coal, to increase the state revenue and local employment through improved exploitation and flow of funds into the minerals sectors.
The policy is also to minimize adverse effects of coal development on the forest, environment and ecology through protection measures, to ensure conduct of coal mining operations with due regard to safety and health of all concerned, to ensure greater and scientific utilization and conservation of coal resources by preventing illegal mining, transportation and storage of coal etc. etc.
“The rate of royalty on coal shall be fixed and revised from time to time by the state government. The prevailing rate of royalty on coal is @ Rs. 165 per tonne, which shall be realized by the state government till further orders,” the policy read adding that with the implementation of this coal policy, generation of revenue shall be improved.
Referring to sharing of royalty, the policy stated that the government will share royalty on coal @ 10 per cent with the landowners as Naga commission. Payment of such share of royalty shall be made to the landowners through the village council.
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