From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jun 19: Karnataka has introduced the new initiative of Integrated Lease Management System (ILMS) to facilitate and improving mining activities in the State, chief minister Siddaramaiah said in Bengaluru on Friday.

Addressing a conference on "Mining in Karnataka – Enhancing production,’’ organised by ASSOCHAN, he said the generation of permits, submission of returns online with weighbridge integration, use of RFID to track the movement of mineral transporting vehicles have been streamlined after the introduction of ILMS.

The State Government will also be introducing the integrated permit system to enable the lease holder to generate permits of forest, mines and geology and commercial tax department in a single platform, he said.

The Chief Minister declared that the State Government intends to bring transparency in allocation of minor minerals also.

In this regard, he said the State intends to amend the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1994 and has already published the proposed amendments in the public domain inviting comments and suggestions from the public and concerned stake holders.

The final rules will be finalized and implemented at the earliest, he said.

Karnataka’s Minister for Forest Environment and Ecology B Ramanath Rai declared that his ministry will be flexible to the maximum extent possible and would not be a stumbling block for the development when the general public will be the greatest beneficiaries.

He, however, made it clear that he Department will be rigid enough to protect and safeguard the environment, which was the duty and responsibility for the present and future generation.

Dr Anup K Pujari, Secretary, Ministry of Mines Department, said the mining lease for non-Captive owner will expire by 2020.

The Centre has given an opportunity to retain the lease next for five years so the owner should take opportunity and produce more iron ore so that mining output of the country can be increased, he said.

There are around 60 mines of A and B category from where there is no production coming due to various regulatory clauses pending in with centre and state government. He assured that he will look into the matter so as to increase overall output.

The Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra underscored the importance of doing business within a legal framework. The State policy will have to align with central policy, he said and pointed out that it was applicable even if local variant demand a different treatment.

Joint Managing Director and Group CFO of JSW Steel M V S Seshagiri Rao, said the Government should focus on Mining as a standalone Industry and regulate the industry through transparency and encourage to bring the best mining practices by means of innovative technology.