Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today encouraged farmland owners to legally look for mining options on their Rayati land while speaking at a political rally here this afternoon.
She said: “We have already allowed mining operations on Rayati lands in five districts. I suggest that you (Rayati farmland owners) procure licenses and go for mining on your own land.” In a bid to stem unauthorised mining, the West Bengal government has so far permitted the operation of 163 private mines in five South Bengal districts – West and East Burdwan, Birbhum, Purulia and Bankura.
Rayati land is private land, mostly inherited with direct rights for cultivation. After Zamindari system was abolished after the land reforms in West Bengal, those who held land became direct tenants under the state,regardless of their previous status.
The state government introduced Rayati Policy in 2022, allowing land owners to apply for licenses to mine minor minerals on their private land. This was aimed to overcome the acquisition hurdles and promote legal extraction by giving direct ownership to the Rayat (land owner).
Mining on private agricultural land, especially for minor minerals like brick clay, sand and stone are allowed after the land owner submits an application to the District Collector. The application is forwarded to the West Bengal Mineral Development & Trading Corporation with a recommendation, and a provisional Letter of Intent is granted upon payment of fees and environmental clearance. “The lease typically gets validation for five years or even until the reserve is exhausted.”
The license prohibits blasting for brick earth and manual excavation through open-cast mining with a maximum 2-metre depth is prescribed.
Asia’s second largest coal project is in progress In Deocha-Panchami, which is based on license for mining on Rayati land. The Chief Minister said: “The Deocha-Panchami project is set to create at least one lakh job opportunities, and your mines too will help in employment generation, if you come forward.”