Minister clears quarry leases

SURAT, July 22: While granting permission to 96 quarry lease contractors, who had applied for carting of sand and other materials from th...

SURAT, July 22: While granting permission to 96 quarry lease contractors, who had applied for carting of sand and other materials from the Tapi bed, State Mines and Mining Minister Narottam Patel warned that those not paying royalty would have to face the consequences.

Patel said, at a function held here on Tuesday, that while the government had decided to provide lease to applicants more liberally, it would also take strict steps against those found evading payment of royalty.

Speaking on the occasion, District Collector R M Shah informed the gathering that of the 488 cases pending with the district administration, since April 1 this year, 409 had been okayed. 8220;The remaining 79 applications will be cleared in three months time,8221; Shah assured, adding that additional Rs 2.50 crores had been deposited in the state treasury in the form of royalty.

Patel said he had directed district collectors throughout the state to clear all pending cases in one month. Expressing satisfaction at the clearing of applications here in the district, he observed that quick clearance would benefit the state treasury.

In a major announcement made in favour of those carting and removing sand from the river bed, he stated that he had ordered the geology and mining departments not to stop contractors from carting sand until their lease was cancelled. Till now, the department did not allow those whose lease period had expired and were awaiting renewal or those whose lease had been temporarily suspended to cart sand.

Addressing the carters8217; problem regarding non-availability of proper roads to carry back sand, the minister said he had specifically asked the district administration to upgrade roads connecting quarries with immediate effect.

The state government had also set up an advisory committee to address problems faced by lease-holders and built stronger relations.

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Patel, while pointing out that a number of irregularities, including illegal mining, carting and use of force had been reported in the past, warned lease-holders and department officials of strict action if they were found to be playing 8220;cat and mouse8221; with the government.

Kamrej MLA Raman Rathod, V Bhatt, additional controller, Mines and Mining, Prant officers of Choryasi, Olpad and Vyara among others were also present for the function.