Reclamation fund for extraction of minor minerals
SHILLONG: Several cheques deposited under reclamation fund for extraction of minor minerals have bounced causing loss to the state exchequer, sources said on Wednesday.
The High Court of Meghalaya had last year ordered the minors and exporters to pay 10% from the sale of minor minerals including limestone to Bangladesh as reclamation fund which will be used for the preservation of environment.
The June 30, 2015 order of the Court had said that the State government, in order to reclaim the damage caused to the forest and the environment, as a result of mining activities, even if permitted under the rules, “shall have to draw a comprehensive scheme and create a fund for reclamation wherefore an amount to the extent of not less than 10% of the sale proceeds of the minerals extracted under the license or lease deed and in accordance with the principle that a ‘polluter shall pay’ can be validly charged”.
After the creation of the reclamation fund, the state government had asked the minors and exporters to pay the 10%. However, sources said that to the surprise of the authorities, several cheques under the reclamation fund have bounced which means that there is an element of alleged fraud. The state government, however, is yet to act against such fraud as it will amount to contempt of court, sources added. When contacted, an official with the forest division in Jowai said that he has to collect information on the quantity of such bounced cheques.
Another functionary with IDBI bank branch at Jowai said that while the cheques submitted by the exporters who are the account holders of the branch were in order, there can be instances where the cheques of other banks may have returned due to insufficient fund.
