Our Correspondent
Diphu, Dec. 14 (EMN): Mines and Minerals minister of Assam, Jogen Mohan visited Diphu on Monday and held a joint meeting with the elected representatives of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and NC Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) at Arboretum-cum-Craft Centre.
The meeting addressed the finalisation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for mineral exploration, mining and production of minerals, sharing of royalty, NOC and trade license etc. to be taken up in the three hill autonomous districts of Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.
After the meeting, minister Mohan said that after getting approval from Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa, legalisation process will start. There will be an increase of revenue for the two Autonomous Councils.
He said that earlier the royalty for minerals was 60 percent by the councils and 40 percent for the state government. But now it will be 70 percent to the concerned Councils and 30 percent to the State government.
There are more scopes and possibilities for exploration of mines and minerals in the hill districts. With the 70 percent royalty, there will be more development in the three hill autonomous districts. The Mines and Minerals department is not an entrusted subject in the councils. Nothing will be done by the state government unless NOC is obtained from the concerned Autonomous Councils. Also if it is affecting the two councils then immediately the SOP will be cancelled, the minister informed.
CEM Ronghang said that as per SOP framed, all powers concerning exploration of mines and minerals are with the two councils, and it would be finalised within a week.