State yet to act on revised mining norms, traders seek quick notification

The Jharkhand government is under rising pressure from the mining industry to adopt the Centre’s revised environmental norms for minor minerals. The norms were issued earlier this year, but the state has not yet released the directions required to put them into effect. The delay has left thousands of small quarry operators uncertain about clearances and compliance.

The issue came up during a joint meeting of the Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Mining and Environment Sub-Committees at the Chamber Bhawan on Monday. Members said the gap between the Centre’s Gazette notification and the state’s follow-through has slowed activity across several mining belts.

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Industry representatives urged the government to issue the notification quickly so the revised distance standards can be enforced. They said traders are struggling to work under the earlier rules that have already been amended by the Centre. According to the Chamber, timely adoption would allow pending applications and renewals to move ahead.

The revised standards notified by the Centre, and supported by recent National Green Tribunal orders, bring major changes to the distance requirements for mining near forests, settlements and water bodies. The buffer from reserved forests has been reduced to 200 metres, while the distance from rivers and other water sources is now 75 metres. The distance from residential and education zones is set at 200 metres. Members said these changes will affect the feasibility of many operations, especially in areas where quarrying sits close to habitation or forest edges.

Chamber office-bearers noted that the amended norms could ease the pressure on thousands of small mineral traders who have struggled to renew or expand their leases under the older standards. Secretary General Rohit Agrawal said the sector is under stress and that a state notification would help restore stability.

A Chamber delegation recently met Forest and Environment Secretary Abu Bakar Siddique and asked for quick directions for enforcement. The delegation also met the Director of Mines, the Member Secretary of the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board and officials at SEIAA. The Forest Secretary is understood to have assured the industry that action will follow the recommendations of a committee formed to examine the issue.

Members said the situation highlights a broader challenge for Jharkhand as it tries to maintain environmental safeguards while supporting the livelihoods tied to the state’s large minor mineral sector. Stone quarrying is expected to feel the impact of the revised standards most immediately.

Officials have indicated that the Forest Department’s committee met on November 24, suggesting that the state may soon move toward issuing the required notification.