City Reports

Rajasthan government to introduce a new policy on gravel mining

A Supreme Court order banned gravel mining in all the districts except Bikaner.

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February 1, 2018, 11:28 am

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Mining in Rajasthan (file photo).

Jaipur: The Rajasthan government is planning to introduce a new policy for gravel mining in the state. The department of mines has already started working on this. The officials are studying the policies of Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Karnataka. After studying the policies of all the states, the most suitable policy for Rajasthan will be adopted keeping in mind the needs of the people of the state.

A Supreme Court order banned gravel mining  in all the districts except Bikaner. Due to this, the people working in the mining industry are facing several problems. Projects worth thousands of crores are stuck. To improve the situation and help the people associated with this industry, the state government has decided to prepare a new policy.

Despite the orders of the Supreme Court, the traders were not evaluating the environmental impact for gravel blocks. Environmental approval was not obtained from the Central Forest and Environment Ministry. In such a case, the Supreme Court, while hearing a PIL, banned gravel mining in all regions except Bikaner. Court’s orders have been strictly implemented in the state.

Director of the Department of Mines, DS Maru, said that many mining policies of many states are being studied. After that, a new policy will be formulated separately for the state, so that the policy of the state can benefit everyone. At the same time, illegal mining will be fully curbed with stricter rules.

First published: December 10, 2017