THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has flouted stipulations laid down by the Centre, the Supreme Court and by itself for granting quarrying permits. This was revealed in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on Economic Sector, that was tabled in the Assembly on Tuesday. The report has identified three major violations. One, non-auctioning of government land for quarrying. Two, extension of exemption to existing quarrying permit holders. Three, non-adherence to Kerala Environment Policy, 2009 while issuing quarrying permits. The audit observed that the state government did not issue concrete orders regarding the auction of government sites for quarrying and the Department of Mining and Geology (DMG) had issued permit/lease to private parties who produced an NoC from Revenue Department, without conducting auction.
“The non-auctioning of government land prevented the possibility of getting more revenue through auction process, in addition to seigniorage charge,” the report stated. In 2011, the Union ministry of mines had laid down that a mining plan submitted by the applicant and approved by the state government is a prerequisite for quarrying. The audit found that the state had not insisted on a mining plan for granting quarrying permits. New rules were framed only in 2015 as part of which a mining plan was made mandatory. However, the new rules exempted existing quarrying permit holders from submitting mining plan and environment clearance. “This was against the spirit of the SC order and Kerala State Environment Policy,” the report said.
Kerala Environment Policy states that restoration of the mined and abandoned areas have to done by those responsible for their damage and compulsory land filling and tree planting in mined areas should be ensured. The audit noticed that the DMG which issued permits did not convey the conditions to permit holders while granting permit. What’s more, no data of number of trees planted after expiry of the permit period as against those cut and removed prior to quarrying was maintained. Further, the policy has a clause to prevent mining and quarrying of hills. However, no such restrictions were seen to be imposed by the DMG.
