Mining and Geology Minister presides over urgent meeting with State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority, Punjab Pollution Control Board and Mining Department officials; directs to streamline and timely approvals
*Mann government committed to revitalizing the state’s brick kiln industry: Brinder Kumar Goyal
Chandigarh, March 13:
Punjab Mining and Geology Minister Sh. Brinder Kumar Goyal said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government will simplify the process of environmental Clearances in the mining sector to ensure easy availability of minor minerals for the state residents.
Sh. Brinder Kumar Goyal, while presiding over an urgent meeting with officials of the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and Mining Department, directed to complete the necessary processes at the earliest.
While stating that the farmers face hassles in obtaining environmental clearances from these three departments to excavate soil from their land, the Cabinet Minister instructed officials to ensure that environmental clearancess for farmers to level fields or remove soil are provided before crop harvesting, allowing them to excavate soil or level fields immediately after harvest and sow the next crop on time.
Sh. Goyal said this approach would also help revitalize the state’s brick kiln industry through local soil availability. He said that the brick kiln industry plays a vital role in the state’s infrastructure development as bricks are essential for all types of construction. “This decision would also ensure that state residents have access to bricks at affordable prices”, he added.
The Mining and Geology Minister further directed officials to eliminate all unnecessary conditions that waste time for farmers and brick kiln owners and to implement an online system for all type of approvals.
The Cabinet Minister said that directions have also been issued to regularize 104 new mining sites in the state and implement transparent policies for the crusher industry. He said the Mann Government is committed to reduce brick kiln owners’ dependence on other states for soil. This would not only provide soil to brick kiln owners at affordable rates but also make bricks available to the state’s residents at lower prices, said the Cabinet Minister.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Secretary Mining S. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority Chairman Mr. Jatinder Kumar, Punjab Pollution Control Board Chairman Dr. Adarsh Pal Vig.
