LUCKNOW: In a major step to reform the mining industry in the state, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued directives following an assessment of the state mining department.
According to the official data, the financial year 2022-23 witnessed growth in revenue tuning to Rs 168 crores compared to the previous year till June. The target of revenue collection from the mining operations is set at Rs 4,860 crore for the current fiscal year.
The increase in revenue collection is due to the use of efficient management of mining activities such as geo-fencing of mining areas through Integrated Mining Surveillance (IMS), mine tags on vehicles transporting minerals, and artificial intelligence-based check gates.
In one of the key decisions, the parties participating in mining activities will be guaranteed a transparent procedure while mineral and sub-mineral pricing will be kept under check.
The use of modern technology equipment has made the mining process much more transparent than it was.
“Replenishment study should be conducted by technical institutions for the sustainability of mining areas of sand/morum etc. located over the river bed. Reputed organizations like CMPDI, which is a Government of India undertaking, should be roped in for such assessments. Future action plans should be prepared based on the study report,” the government said in a statement.
The government has also encouraged the mining industry to use M-Sand as an alternative which is an artificial form of sand produced from the crushing of stones.
The government has also launched the ‘Mine Mitra’ site which allows the leaseholders and transporters to actively participate in the mining governance system by supplying a logging id. This would not only benefit all stakeholders but also guarantee system transparency.
“Revision of the current Royalty fee should be considered, which was last revised in 2016. Opinions of other stakeholders can be taken in this regard before such revision,” said the government.
The Yogi government has also issued strict orders against the overloading of mining transportation vehicles and the black marketing of minerals in the market.