THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There is a high chance that even quarries that do not even possess a valid explosive licence operate in the state with impunity. Reason: There is no mechanism in place for monitoring quarries in the state. Quarry operators, before starting operations, are required to obtain consent from the Pollution Control Board (PCB), secure an environment clearance from State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and a quarrying permit from the Department of Mining and Geology (DMG).
Intriguingly, none of these bodies has a system for periodical monitoring to check whether quarries are complying with conditions specified in the consent. The state government has issued a circular in March 2014 stating that the authority empowered to give sanction should also ensure that there is no violation of conditions. This requires physical verification by the agencies concerned. "While issuing consent to operate, the PCB will impose certain conditions to the quarry operators based on Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Environment Protection Act, 1986," says environmentalist Vikraman Bhattathiri. Further, lease holders with a minimum area of five hectare for quarrying granite building stone require environment clearance from SEIAA. The EC, too, will stipulate certain conditions to be followed by the lease holders.
However, both the PCB and SEIAA do not have a system for periodical monitoring. "With the kind of staff strength we have ,it is impossible to keep track of all the innumerable clearances that we had given across the state," a top SEIAA official said. Even a government department like DMG has no systems to monitor the adherence to Kerala Minor Minerals Cocession Rules. The DMG issues quarrying permits and leases and the permit or lease holders have to satisfy conditions specified in the permits. "The DMG does not conduct periodical inspection of quarry sites to monitor implementation of KMMC Rules. Even the CAG has pointed this out," Mr Bhattathri said. The lease violations include non-observance of safety measures, operation after expiry of permit, operating without explosive licence, and non-demarcation of quarry area.
