The granite quarrying other than the dimension stones as specified in Rule 8 A (ii) of The Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1967 has been characterised by lot of issues due to the complexity of procedures and ambiguity in the statues. Because of the same different districts are following different methodologies for dealing the issues. It is high time that a comprehensive standard and uniform methodology is to be evolved for checking the seepage of public revenue in the days to come.
As per Rule 4 and 17 of the above Rules quarrying license for the rocks which are not suitable to cut in to predetermined sizes [ irregularly blasted pieces of ordinary building stones, road metal, rubble and ballasts] and which are mentioned under Rule 8 A (ii) and laterites
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| I. |
worth up to Rs. 1 000 (up to 62.5 tonnes) can be by issued by the Tahsildar who is made the Competent authority by notification number 32010 / L 3 / 1993 / ID dated 22.06.1995. [ The rate of royalty is Rs. 16 per tonne] |
| II. |
worth more than Rs.1 000 and up to Rs.5 000 (from 62. 5 tonnes – 312.5 tonnes) can be issued by RDO empowered by the above notification |
| III. |
worth more than Rs.5 000 and up to Rs.10 000 (from 312.5 tonnes to 625 tonnes) can be issued by District Collector |
| IV. |
If it exceeds the above limit (more than Rs. 10 000 as Royalty or 625 tonnes as quantity of rock to be removed) and up to Rs. 20 000 as Royalty (1 250 tonnes) then the licence should be issued by the Senior Geologist |
| V. |
In cases above this limit, should be issued by Director of Mining and Geology
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For getting a quarrying license the applicant need to apply before any of the competent authorities mentioned above based on the territorial and pecuniary jurisdiction of the competent authorities. Every application should accompany NOC from the following authorities;
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| 1. |
Local Self Government |
| 2. |
Department of Mining and Geology |
| 3. |
Pollution Control Board |
| 4. |
Department of Revenue – If license is issued by Mining and Geology Department |
The above Rules and procedures are applicable for both private and Government owned lands as well as for private or commercial use.
The only difference occurs when the rock source exists in a public land. Then the prospective quarrying person needs to apply before District Collector for getting the land on lease first. There are many pre-requisites for this;
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a. |
The applicant should possess land adjoining to the land for which lease is applied |
b.
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Or the applicant should execute an agreement with the owner of adjoining land as per Registration Rules. |
| c. |
The sketch of the rock portion to be quarried colored in red ink in the sketch along with NOC from Tahsildar |
| d. |
The application should be submitted along with prescribed fee of Rs.200
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The applicant needs to resort, only to manual quarrying with the above permit / license. If the applicant desires to maintain the Magazines [ 75 % Potassium Nitrate + 15 % Charcoal + 10 % Sulphur] of Gunpowder for the purpose of rock quarrying then the following facts are to be kept in mind;
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| a. |
The explosive license for installing magazines can not be issued to quarries working exclusively in Government lands |
| b. |
A maximum of 15 kg can be kept in the premises with the licence from District Magistrate |
| c. |
If more quantity of Gun powder is used then explosive license from Controller of Explosives, Chennai is to be obtained. |
| d. |
For getting the explosive licence the applicant requires NOC from |
the following Departments;
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| 1. |
Department of Revenue – If the licence is issued by Controller of explosives as the case may be |
| 2. |
Department of Fire & Rescue services |
| 3. |
Department of Forest and Wild life |
| 4. |
Police Department |
Centralised Quarry Management System is an initiative to oversee the functions of the granite quarries working in the state of Kerala with a public participation. It is observed that, the lack of transparency has been causing lot of issues especially during the times of casualty connected with quarrying operations and in abandoned quarries. This system would help to fix accountability on all the concerned with an enhanced participation of the public.
A system has already been created for the monthly updation of this database with the database available at village offices and other revenue offices. It would be highly enriched with the inclusion of details from Department of Mining and Geology and State Pollution control board.
This system would give details regarding the date of expiry of quarrying licenses, owners of the quarries, the allowable quantity which can be mined from the site, whether quarrying is carried out in government land or private land etc. It is expected that, the introduction of this system would bring in maximum transparency for first time in the quarrying sector.
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