TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The policy takes its powers from the Land Revenue Code (Amendment) Act, 2013 which vide amendment to Section 33 of the Code has empowered the Government to impose a fine in cases where the land has been used for dumping mining rejects or like material without permission.
“(1A) Where the land has been used for dumping mining rejects or like material without permission, the Government may impose such fine as may be prescribed,” the amendment says.
“In view of above, one time policy is formulated for dealing with the issue of mining dumps and other related issues,” the policy says.
The provisions of this policy will be applicable to the land used for dumping of mining rejects or like material and for all other activities on the land not covered under the land leased for mining activities irrespective of present and proposed zoning.
The policy provides for the levy of charges for unauthorisedly using the Government and private land for non agricultural use; and gives a procedure to levy these charges etc. and for restoration of land to its original use.
Levy of Charges: Conversion fees are be collected on the area occupied by mining dumps based on the fees structure and fines to be imposed as mentioned below and as per procedure to be prescribed.
The conversion fees imposed shall be of ‘Industrial’ category as referred under section 32 of Land Revenue Code, 1968; The charges imposed will be on the entire plot, and not for the specific area of the plot where the dump is stacked; As it is difficult to ascertain the period since when the dumps are stacked, it has been decided to presume that the period is 20 years and in addition to the conversion fees, a fine of 20% of the conversion fee at the prevalent rates shall be imposed.
, the policy says adding ~ The 20 years time period of the unauthorized use of land shall be considered till 31st March 2013.
For Government land, the land shall be required to be restored to its original use within a period of five years from 31st March 2013 or the date of expiry of the lease period of the land leased for mining to the operator and the government on a case to case basis may extend this period beyond five years, at a rate so specified, but not beyond the date of expiry of the lease period of the land leased for mining to the operator.
