477 mining leases cancelled in Telangana

Minister for Mines and Geology KT Rama Rao terminated 477 mining lease agreements in Telangana as the lessors who took the lease failed to take up any activity. Officials have also initiated action against 79 mining lessors who violated norms and conducted mining activity.

The government is making efforts to bring stringent laws as part of its new mining policy proposed to be announced shortly.

During a review meeting with officials here on Friday, Rama Rao was informed that there were about 477 mining lease agreements where lessors did not take up any mining activity notwithstanding adequate time given to them. He observed that delay in mining activity was resulting in low revenue to the State despite demand for various minerals and asked officials to issue lease termination orders with immediate effect. He also asked the officials to launch criminal action against



those who violated the norms in mining activity.

“We need to plug all irregularities in mining activities to increase our annual revenue. Minerals are the state property and we cannot allow any irregularities that could dent public welfare,” the Minister told the officials. He wanted them to extensively use technology, including geo-fencing, geo-tagging, satellite mapping, drone cameras and others to monitor mining activity in the leased region.

Efforts are on to bring a new mining policy and stringent laws would be included in the new policy to curb irregularities in mining. As per the proposed new mining policy, all mining leases will be sanctioned only through e-auction system. For select minerals like limestone, the e-auction for mining leases will be conducted by making it available for even international players to place their bids.