The Ministry of Coal (MoC) on November 15, 2023, issued a notification regarding forwarding SOP for processing and disposal of applications forwarded by the State Govt. seeking previous approval of the Central Government for grant of Prospecting License/Mining Lease.
The following has been stated: -
•To streamline the process for examining and conveying previous approval of Central Govt. the following SOP has been made:
1. Application for Prospecting License received from the State Government to be forwarded by P&S Section to CMPDIL for examination & vetting with a copy to Project Adviser, Ministry of Coal for information within 5 working days.
2. On receipt of the application from the Ministry of Coal, CMPDIL will send a demand letter to the Project Proponent for vetting charges including physical verification within 5 working days.
3. On receipt of payment from the project proponent, CMPDIL will make a site visit within 15 working days and verify the information (as received from the State Govt) CMPDIL may also seek additional information from the project proponent, if desired. CMPDIL will send the vetting comments to MoC.
4. Vetting comments of CMPDIL will be considered by the committee constituted for examination of the proposal for prior approval for PL/ML within 10 working days after receipt from CMPDIL and recommendations conveyed to P&S, MoC.
5. On receipt of the recommendation of the Committee, P&S Section, MoC to process for obtaining approval of the competent authority and convey previous approval to the State Government.
The detailed notification is given in the document attached below.
[Notification No. PS1-13016/5/2023-PS1(FTS 357554)]
