PANJIM: Coming down heavily on those transporting minor minerals illegally within the State, Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has decided to impose a fine of Rs one lakh on the vehicle owner who failed to register the vehicle with the department by installing Global Positioning System (GPS).
In a bid to regulate transportation of minor minerals within the State, DMG had in January, last year, directed the vehicle owners to register them and so also their vehicles by installing GPS with the department before April 1, 2018. The deadline was later extended to October 31, 2018.
The department had clarified the transportation of minerals without registration and the absence of GPS would be termed as illegal, irrespective of necessary permits and other documents.
The vehicles have to register themselves upon payment of one time registration fee of Rs 5000 for transportation of minerals. So far total 182 vehicles have registered with the department.
Considering the increasing illegal transportation of minor minerals, the department in a press statement issued on Thursday has once again issued reminder that it is compulsory for trucks carrying minor minerals to register with them as well as to install GPS.
Assistant director DMG Neha Panvelkar said that a fine amounting up to Rs one lakh will be imposed on those violating these instructions. She said that the department had issued necessary directions almost a year back.
The department is currently in process of drafting Minor Mineral Policy for the State. The department is also considering adopting the Mining Surveillance System (MSS) and Star Rating system for the minor minerals, which is already in force for major minerals across country.
