From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Mar 17: Mines and geology minister Murugesh R Nirani assured the investors of providing NoCs (No Objection Certificates) at their doorsteps instead of their running pillar to post.

"I am your representative and I will take your grievances to the chief minister and get them redressed. We are planning to issue No-Objection Certificates (NOC) in 90 days and take the service to your doorsteps,’’ he said.

Addressing the safety workshop organised by the stone quarry owners association here at Bengaluru Palace Grounds on Wednesday, Nirani said a single-window agency is being set up to expedite the process of clearing applications for various mining proposals. 

The move is expected to eliminate red-tapism and boost the ease of doing business in the sector.

The speedy approval through a single-window agency will help investors start the projects and generate employment.

At present, the investors in the minor minerals sector like sand, stone and granite have to run from pillar to post to get NoCs from various departments such as Revenue, Forest and Pollution Control Board to start their ventures.

Now, the proposed single-window agency will integrate these departments for better coordination and ensure approval of projects in a smooth and time-bound manner” Nirani stated.

One-Time Settlement Scheme

Nirani said the state government was considering the introduction of a 'One Time Settlement', scheme to garner the revenue from penalties imposed on the mine owners for mining beyond limits. 

“The penalties have come up to over Rs 6,700 crore and government doubts that this amount would be garnered. Instead, OTS scheme would bring half of the amount of Rs 6,700 crore. The quarry owners will also be made members of settlement committees,” he said. 

The minister said the owners paying a huge amount in the form of royalty and GST paid by and these amounts being spent for developmental works. 

He said the government has temporarily closed many mines which resulted in the loss of royalty and mining firms are forced to cease operations which in turn resulted in revenue loss and unemployment. 

Assurance to Investors

Stressing on the importance of investments and sustainable growth, Nirani said the government did not take any coercive or punitive action against quarry owners despite pressure from the Opposition following recent blasts in mining areas.

“We did not take any knee-jerk action against the quarry owners after the blasts despite demand from the Opposition to arrest them. I know the stress and problems faced by the quarry owners and they cannot be blamed for the recent tragic incidents. It is imperative to inject confidence among investors and other stakeholders for economic development and progress. Any ill-advised coercive action will spoil investor confidence which will affect the flow of investments and thereby affect the development of the state,” Nirani said.

Sharing his own experience as a businessman, Nirani recounted the hardships he faced as a budding entrepreneur.

“I faced a lot of difficulties in establishing my business. Starting from scratch, today I own one of the largest sugar factories in the country. We are the largest producer of ethanol in Asia. Union home minister Amit Shah recently visited Mudhol in Bagalkot to inaugurate the setup. Today our business entity has more than Rs 5,000 crore annual turnover,” Nirani claimed.

New Mining Policy

The mines and geology department will introduce a new mining policy. The liberalised policy will create an investor-friendly atmosphere and make Karnataka an easier place to do business.

Free Sand for Houses of Rs 10 lac and below

Murugesh Nirani said the state government is planning to supply free sand to those constructing house at a cost of less than Rs 10 lac at Gram Panchayat limits.

This proposal is expected to help lakhs of people constructing houses under Ashraya and other schemes. The free supply of sand to the poor in gram panchayat limits is expected to spur construction activities and revive the rural economy.

Khanija Bhavan will be set up in every district. Khanija Bhavan will help smooth the functioning of the mining sector in all the districts and ensure ease of doing business for investors, he said.