KP govt claims it has ended illegal mining

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has claimed that illegal mining has ended in the province, while the Minerals Development Department has surpassed other departments in the province by collecting extraordinary revenue of 54 percent higher during the previous financial year 2020-21. The government set a target of Rs 3450 million, but the department collected Rs 5221.879 million of the revenue. Around 120 percent of significant revenue has been increased in the last two years.

More than 30 officers were suspended and disciplinary action was taken against them, including grade 20 officers to stop illegal mining across the province. In the last two years, as many as 2669 complaints of illegal mining have been sent to the police, and 1336 were converted into FIRs. All empty blocks and sites have been auctioned off. The establishment of the gemstone laboratory, technical training, and certification center has been approved to generate revenue and produce skilled labor.

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mahmood Khan appreciated the overall performance of the Mineral Development Department especially revenue collection and curbing the illegal mining in the province and said that the government will ensure the strengthening of the Mineral Development Department in terms of human resources, vehicles, and other operational budgets. Illegal mining will not be allowed in the province.

“The Mineral Investment Facilitation Authority has approved the proposal for the establishment of a gemstone laboratory, technical training, and certification center after completing all legal requirements. This project will produce a skilled workforce as per international standards and enhance the capacity building of manpower. Besides this the valuable indigenous resources will be processed locally which will generate revenue as well as promote local and international trading in the shape of huge foreign exchange to the public exchequer”, he said

According to the official document, the Excise, and Taxation Department has collected Rs 4095.386 million during the previous financial year 2020-21. Around 37 percent is higher than 2019-20 of Rs2987.513 million. The Board of Revenue received an amount of Rs 5150.619 million in 2019-20 while the previous year they collected an amount of Rs 7793.464. The department has increased its revenue by 51 percent. The Transport Department has increased its revenue by 45 percent during the last financial year 2020-21. The Transport Department collected 348.052 million in 2019-20 while the previous year they received Rs 503.523 million.

The Mineral Development Department had received an amount of Rs 2367.292 million in 2018-19 while the department collected Rs 3381.719 in 2019-20. However, while keeping the increasing trend, it collected Rs 5221.879 million during the previous financial year 2020-21. Which is 120 percent higher from 2018-19 and 54 percent from 2019-2020.

The KP Mineral Development Department sent 2269 marsalas (complaints) to the police regarding illegal mining in the province and 1336 were converted into FIRs during the last two years. Charsadda topped with 356 complaints while Nowshera came second with 311 complaints.

The Mineral Department has decided 294 cases since its inception till 2019 while a record 383 cases of the lease have been decided during the last two years. According to sources, the department is facing a shortage of workforce and 202 vacancies are vacant in different regions while the total strength is 764. However, the Chief Minister has approved a summary for the early recruitment of staff.

Secretary Mineral Development Department Nazar Shah told this correspondent that an online map portal is available for searching free mineral-bearing areas and an online application system has been established for investors.

“Application processing time is significantly reduced as the whole process is automated. From application to grant and its management of mineral title, the facility is provided to investors online. Online payment facility for payments of fees, royalties, and other dues is also available”, he said He said the department has minimized human interaction thus increasing transparency and ease of doing business. Security of lease tenure and investment is also ensured.