The Directorate of Mines and Geology is currently cross-checking the mining lease agreement draft, in which Form K under the Mineral Concession Rule (MCR) would be added. Form K is the form signed by the government and the party (lessee).
Form K consists of details like name of lease owner (individual or company), total lease area, liberties, powers and privileges to be exercised and enjoyed by the lessee/lessees on certain conditions and by the government, rents and royalty and other information.
A senior official confirmed that the lease agreement draft is being cross checked by the department for corrections, additions and to customize the formats.
“We were supposed to sign the leases from today (Thursday) but this has been slightly delayed. Maybe tomorrow or next week we will sign it,” the official said.
The official said that the draft was circulated to the parties (lease holders) for their information. The lease agreement would be signed by the Mines secretary Amjad Tak who is currently holding additional charge in absence of Pawan Kumar Sain.
Government had issued the order for second renewal of leases in respect of 13 mining leases under section 8(3) of Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Act, 1957. The renewal was due since 2007.
Once the lease agreements are signed, the 26-month long mining suspension automatically stands lifted on a lease-to-lease basis. The BJP-led government had suspended all mining activity in the State on September 11, 2012, following the Justice M B Shah Commission report on illegal mining.
