PRESIDES OVER WORKSHOP HELD TO STREAMLINE ENVIRONMENT CLEARANCE PROCESS AND ADDRESS MINING SECTOR CHALLENGES
Chandigarh, July 7:
Punjab Mines & Geology Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today asked the officials of State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) to expedite environment clearance procedures following the liberalization of the mining sector under the new Mining Policy.
The Cabinet Minister stressed that with landowners now empowered to apply for Environment Clearances (EC) directly to SEIAA, all applications must be processed on priority basis with comprehensive support to ensure minimum processing time.
Sh. Goyal was presiding over comprehensive workshop at MGSIPA, during which extensive discussions were held regarding various procedural bottlenecks encountered by the department in obtaining Environment Clearances. SEIAA members were briefed about the significant delays hampering the EC acquisition process. The authority acknowledged these concerns and provided firm assurance of expeditious resolution along with complete cooperation in streamlining the clearance mechanism.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders including Additional Chief Secretary Mines & Geology Mrs. Jaspreet Talwar, Director Mines & Geology Mr. Abhijit Kaplish, District Mining Officers, members of State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), Coordinator Centre of Excellence IIT Ropar and other relevant officials to address critical issues pertaining to Environment Clearances and District Survey Reports.
The workshop facilitated constructive dialogue between all stakeholders, resulting in identification of practical solutions to enhance operational efficiency. SEIAA members meticulously documented all raised issues and committed to implementing corrective measures at the earliest to ensure seamless processing of applications.
In a stern directive to ensure round-the-clock vigilance against illegal mining activities, Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal warns all the District Mining Officers (DMOs) and field officials that mobile phones of all officials must remain switched on throughout the night to enable immediate action against illegal mining operations and ensure 24×7 redressal of public grievances.
“Any official found with switched-off mobile phones will face strict disciplinary action. The fight against illegal mining requires constant vigilance and public grievances demand immediate attention regardless of the hour,” said the Cabinet Minister, stressing zero tolerance for negligence in duty.
The Minister further directed that all public representations must be addressed strictly as per established norms without any delay, ensuring transparent and accountable governance in the mining sector.
On this occasion, Chief Engineer (Drainage-cum- Mining) Mr. Hardeep Singh Mehandiratta and other officials were present.
