Himachal waives off NoC requirement to develop stone quarries

Shimla, Aug 18 (PTI)In a move towards proceduralsimplification, the government of Himachal Pradesh todaywaived off the requirement to seek No Objection Certificate(NoC) from Panchayats to set up captive stone quarries. "The condition to seek NoC for captive stone quarries fromPanchayats for construction and development of roads and hydelprojects will be henceforth waived-off as a move towardsprocedural simplification," Chief Minister Virbhadra Singhtoday said at a meeting to review of mining activities in thestate. "The process of allotting crushers is time-consuming  andhas to go through numerous procedural formalities includingNoCs from environment, panchayats, forest clearances and otherline departments. The development activities, particularlyconstruction of roads come to a halt," said Singh. Instructions were issued to maintain live registers andonline registration of the applicants who apply for setting-upthe crushers and to submit monthly report to the chiefministerÂ’s office. SDMs will have to give report in a time-bound mannerconcerning the setting up of stone crushers. As of now, 150 legal stone crushers are operational in thestate. In another meeting pertaining to forest clearance by theforest department, Singh directed the forest department toadopt pro-active approach and guide the concerned departmentsand facilitate them in getting forest clearance. Singh said that 13 specific developmental activities couldbe carried out in forest area to the extent of one hectare. "The forest land could be diverted for the clearance ofdevelopment projects upto one hectare and the concernedDivisional Forest Officer (DFO) should be proactive enough todo the needful so that development activities are carried outbenefitting the people at large," he said. PTI PCL CHT RGCHT