Group of Secretaries proposes integrated clearance for mining

NEW DELHI: One of the Group of Secretaries, set up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has suggested an online single-window system for faster clearances of various mining projects, including coal, a move that would boost sentiment in the mining sector.

“One of the Group of Secretaries has made a presentation on energy and environment. During the presentation, Group of Secretaries proposed that there should be an integrated clearance system,” a source privy to the development said.

The system would help in faster environment and forest clearances for various mining projects, including coal, the source said.

“It was recommended that this integrated clearance system should would have a web portal and the clearances to the mining projects should be through it,” the source said adding that “it takes years for any project to get clearances like forest and environment which is one biggest hindrances on Thursday.”

The Group of Secretaries on energy and environment is being headed by Environment Secretary, the source added.

“On Thursday the biggest problem is that people do not want to come to India because it takes years (for any mining project) to get clearances (including forest and environment). It (the single window system) will boost the sentiments,” the source added. The world’s largest coal miner CIL had earlier said in a report that out of its 123 ongoing projects, 66 were facing delays while the rest were running on schedule.

It had further said, out of the 66 projects, 34 coal mines were running behind the schedule due to delays in obtaining forest clearances and 17 due to delay in land acquisition and R&R (resettlement and rehabilitation) associated issues.

Prime Minister had earlier formed 10 Groups of Secretaries to work on various sectors including energy.