Tamil Nadu: Power to temporarily stop transportation of minerals to other states increased
Chennai: Tamil Nadu government has taken a major administrative decision with the aim of ensuring availability of essential minerals for construction works in the state. Issuing a new order, the government has given the power to the Director of Mines and Geology that if there is a shortage of any construction material or mineral in the state, then he can impose a temporary ban on its transportation or export to other states.
The government’s decision comes at a time when various construction materials, including M-Sand (manufactured sand), are being sent in large quantities from Tamil Nadu to neighboring states. The State Government believes that maintaining adequate availability of essential minerals for local construction projects and infrastructure development is a priority. For this purpose, the rules have been amended to control the transportation of minerals.
The Government of Tamil Nadu has amended the Tamil Nadu Illegal Mining, Transportation, Storage and Mineral Dealers Rules, 2011. These amended rules have been implemented by the state government by publishing them in the official gazette. Under the new provisions, the Director of Mining and Geology has got the statutory right to impose a temporary ban on the transportation of minerals to other states in special circumstances.
According to the government, this ban will not be permanent, but will be implemented only when there is a possibility that the availability of the concerned minerals in the state will be affected. Its objective is not to ban mineral trade but to give priority to the needs of the state.
Under the amended rules, the construction materials on which transportation restrictions can be imposed if necessary include construction materials like Artificial Sand (M-Sand), Black Stone, Big Stone Pieces, Boulders, Gravel, Crushed Stone and Crushed Hand Stone. All of these are used extensively in roads, buildings, bridges and other infrastructure projects.
Government officials say the demand for construction materials has been continuously increasing in Tamil Nadu in recent years due to rapid urbanization and expansion of infrastructure projects. At the same time, due to high demand for M-Sand and other construction materials in neighboring states, their transportation from Tamil Nadu has increased continuously. In such a situation, if the availability within the state is affected then development projects may be affected. Keeping this possibility in mind, this right has been granted.
The Government also believes that balanced utilization and effective management of mineral resources is essential. Through changes in the rules, monitoring of illegal mining, uncontrolled transportation and storage of minerals will also be strengthened. This is expected to ensure better management of mineral resources in the state.
Experts associated with the mining sector believe that this decision can be important from the point of view of giving priority to the construction activities of the state. However, its impact on the supply of construction material in the industry and other states may be seen depending on the circumstances. If there is sufficient availability of any mineral then normal transportation will continue, while only in case of shortage a temporary restriction will be imposed.
Meanwhile, a major reshuffle has also been made at the administrative level in the Tamil Nadu Geology and Mines Department. Director of the department T. Prabhu Shankar has issued transfer orders of a total of 27 officers citing administrative reasons.
According to the order issued, two Deputy Directors and 25 Assistant Directors of the department have been transferred to various districts and offices. The department says that this is part of the routine administrative process and will help in ensuring better coordination and monitoring of departmental work.
The Government believes that amendment in the rules and administrative restructuring at the departmental level will yield positive results in the direction of management of mineral resources, control of illegal activities and ensuring availability of essential materials for construction works. In the coming times, efforts will be made to balance the supply and distribution of mineral resources in the state by using these new provisions as per requirement.
