Indian iron ore mining mess - Karnataka to introduce foolproof system
Deccan Herald reported that with the Supreme Court allowing iron ore export from April 20th 2011, the state government is working overtime to introduce a foolproof system to put the brakes on illegal iron ore transportation in Karnataka. Besides making fitting the Global Positioning System and the Radio Frequency Identification Device to vehicles ferrying minerals mandatory, the government wants to introduce e system to issue permits (issued by the Mines and Geology Department) from April 20th 2011 to check fake permit documents.
Mr BS Ramprasad secretary to the Commerce & Industries Department (Mines) said that forest permits or forest way pass being issued by the forest department will continue to be generated manually.The existing manual system of issuing permits was misused rampantly to illegally transport minerals, especially iron ore in Bellary district. Large quantities of illegally dug up minerals were smuggled out with fake permits. Under the proposed e permit system, mineral transporters should apply seeking permits online. The application will have details like quantity of mineral to be transported, destination and vehicle number. Permits will be issued online after verification. Like the manually generated permits, e permits will have hologram mark.
E permits also have a provision for issue of bulk permits. The Mines and Geology officials will inspect the stock, and after verification, they will approve transportation of large quantities of minerals in one go. However, the lease holders have to obtain a separate trip sheet for every vehicle transporting minerals.The Department of Mines and Geology has developed a separate software for the purpose. Every mining lease holder will be given a unique code and a password to access it and apply for permits. The department is presently giving training to all lease holders on using the software.
Mr Ramprasad said that "The government has successfully implemented e permit system in three lease areas like Tumkur (Mineral Corporation), Chitradurga (Sesa Goa) and Hospet in Bellary (Mysore Minerals Limited). Work is on to put in place necessary infrastructure to extend the system across the State from April 20th 2011."
Besides, the government is likely to introduce use of PFID and GPS devices for mine lorries from April 20th 2011. The movement of GPS and RFID fitted lorries will be monitored by computerized check posts, located at strategic locations. The Government had sought the SC for 15 days' time to introduce these devices, but the apex court turned it down.
Mr Ramprasad said that 13 composite check posts, involving officials of four government departments like Mines and Geology, Forest, Transport and Home have been set up across the State. Five composite check posts are in Uttara Kannada district, three in Bellary, one each in Gadag, Hassan, Bijapur, Chitradurga and Dakshina Kannada. This is over and above the 22 old check posts functioning in the state.
E permits also have a provision for issue of bulk permits. The Mines and Geology officials will inspect the stock, and after verification, they will approve transportation of large quantities of minerals in one go. However, the lease holders have to obtain a separate trip sheet for every vehicle transporting minerals.The Department of Mines and Geology has developed a separate software for the purpose. Every mining lease holder will be given a unique code and a password to access it and apply for permits. The department is presently giving training to all lease holders on using the software.
Mr Ramprasad said that "The government has successfully implemented e permit system in three lease areas like Tumkur (Mineral Corporation), Chitradurga (Sesa Goa) and Hospet in Bellary (Mysore Minerals Limited). Work is on to put in place necessary infrastructure to extend the system across the State from April 20th 2011."
Besides, the government is likely to introduce use of PFID and GPS devices for mine lorries from April 20th 2011. The movement of GPS and RFID fitted lorries will be monitored by computerized check posts, located at strategic locations. The Government had sought the SC for 15 days' time to introduce these devices, but the apex court turned it down.
Mr Ramprasad said that 13 composite check posts, involving officials of four government departments like Mines and Geology, Forest, Transport and Home have been set up across the State. Five composite check posts are in Uttara Kannada district, three in Bellary, one each in Gadag, Hassan, Bijapur, Chitradurga and Dakshina Kannada. This is over and above the 22 old check posts functioning in the state.
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