SHILLONG, MAR 9: Even as Meghalaya governor Keshari Nath Tripathi said that the ban on mining of coal imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has had an ‘adverse impact’ on the state’s own resources, but the state government will come with an ‘appropriate mining scheme’ to meet the requirement of mining on scientific basis to address environmental concerns, safety and health factors.
Tripathi told the assembly on the first day of the budget session on Monday, “There has been a substantial decline in the state’s revenue.” He however informed that the state government has taken steps to address this situation by improving efficiency in tax collections and plugging leakages.
Stating that budget making has become more challenging, Tripathi said, “But the government has taken proactive measures to ensure that the growth momentum does not flag and resources continue to be available for completing ongoing projects as well as for taking up new initiatives.”
Tripathi assured that the state government would continue to actively engage with the government of India in restructuring various centrally sponsored schemes to ensure that the programmes are customized appropriately as per the needs of the state.
Notwithstanding the financial position of the state due to NGT ban, Tripathi however said that there has been substantial increase in revenue collection in the recent years.
Tripathi said, “The Mission Mode Project for Computerization of Commercial Taxes has been successfully implemented in the State with e-Services such as e-Payment, e-Registration, e-Return, e-Waybill, e-‘C’ Form, e-Refund, e-Dealer profile as major interventions,” Tripathi informed adding the other e-Services to be rolled out during the current year are e-‘P’ Form, e-D-Mat Waybills, e-TDS adding that the state government has authorized the State Bank of India, Vijaya Bank, ICICI Bank and United Bank of India for acceptance of e-Payment of taxes.
Commenting on the ban of coal mining by the NGT, Tripathi said the administration of mines and minerals is critical as many families in the state depend on mining, particularly coal mining as their basic source of livelihood.
Tripathi informed that the state government had notified the Meghalaya Mines and Minerals Policy, 2012 to facilitate systematic, scientific and planned utilization of minerals resources and to bring coal mining within the fold of a regulatory regime. He said, “The state government has constituted a committee to frame administrative guidelines, rules and appropriate procedures for implementation of the Policy.”
In order to meet the requirement of mining on scientific basis duly addressing environmental concerns, safety and health factors, Tripathi said, the state government will come forward with an ‘appropriate mining scheme’.
Based on the request of the state government, Tripathi revealed that the Ministry of Coal has constituted an Expert Group led by the Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Limited to prepare broad guidelines for the mining of coal in the state and the Directorate General of Mines Safety to prepare guidelines on health, occupational safety and related issues.
Tripathi further informed that the Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation will be strengthened to provide guidance and technical assistance to miners to prepare Mining Plan including mine closure plan. The state government will facilitate reclamation of abandoned mines and also take steps for restoration of acidic water bodies,” he stated.
Tripathi also said on the request of the state government, the Government of India has also constituted a Committee of Group of Officers under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary with Meghalaya Chief Secretary as one of the members to work out a harmonious solution.
Tripathi also informed that in pursuance of the recommendations of the Group of Officers, the state government proposes to submit a proposal to the Government of India for suitable exemptions under Para 12 A (b) of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India after due consultation with all the stakeholders.- By Our Reporter
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