Report on sand mining in Jharkhand, 03/07/2020
The “Jharkhand State Mineral Policy, 2020” was being formulated and under approval process that would facilitate systematic and sustainable mining and mineral activities within the threshold limit of forest and environment. This was stated in the compliance report filed by the Department of Mines and Geology Department, Government of Jharkhand.
The Jharkhand State Sand Mining Policy 2017 has been implemented. Based on the DSR, sand ghats are to be categorized under two different categories namely Category- I and Category- II. Category- I sand ghat would be used only for noncommercial purposes and would be maintained and supervised by Gram Panchayat/ local self government. Category- II sand ghats would be allocated to Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation (JSMDC) Ltd. for a minimum period of 5 years.
Mining would be carried out by JSMDC Ltd. following all statutory provisions of guidelines/ rules/ acts. JSMDC Ltd. would adopt scientific and sustainable mining practices and ensure transparent, fair and effective delivery system. Further, JSMDC Ltd. had implemented Sand Management System (SMS) to ensure efficient monitoring of sand mining operations at sand ghats and for sale of sand at stockyards.
The Sand Management System would be able to validate the permitted quantity of sand to be dispatched to the buyers and also validate customer vehicles through its integration with JIMMS portal. SMS would also provide reconciliation features and audit functionalities of the transported quantity of sand.
Jharkhand was also implementing star rating framework for minor mineral blocks on similar lines as that of major minerals wherein 50% weightage was on the parameters:
i) Systematic and Sustainable Mining, and
ii) Protection of environment and conservation of water.
With implementation of the star rating of minor mineral block, pollution due to minor mineral block was expected to be controlled.
Note: The report of July 3, 2020 was uploaded to the NGT site on August 14, 2020