Kohima: The Nagaland Government has suspended new Coal Prospecting License (CPL) in virgin areas and has asked all CPL holders to obtain Coal Mining Lease (CML) before the start of the next mining season.
Nagaland Geology and Mining Commissioner and Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen has notified the suspension of new CPL and directed all CPL holders to obtain CML before the start of the new mining season. Extraction of coal is disallowed to any coal operator who have no valid CML or Short-Term Mining License (STML). Mines will be closed until they obtain CML, the Commissioner said in a notification on Tuesday.
The flying squad and district officers in coordination with the local administration and police have been authorised to issue mine closure notices to all illegal coal operators and coal prospecting license holders not to extract coal without having valid CMLs or STMLs.
”Henceforth, no CPL holder will be allowed to use heavy mining machinery in their areas except drilling machine, compressor and its accessories. However, for construction of approach road to the prospecting area and mining lease area, one bulldozer and one excavator will be allowed exclusively for construction of approach road under the strict supervision of the concerned district officer who shall be responsible if any such activity prevails under his jurisdiction without officially reporting to the authority,” the department ordered.
In addition, Coal Challan (CC) will be issued to check gates, but only against those coal-carrying trucks belonging to the CML holders. Coal-carrying trucks, not having valid CML, will be seized and a penalty of 10 times the normal royalty would be imposed, the order stated.
CML or STML holders are directed to strictly implement the provisions of the mining plan, environmental management plan, progressive mine closure plan and final mine closure plan. (UNI)