The meeting of State Cabinet held here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur gave its approval for amendment in the Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) and Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, The Cabinet also lifted the night curfew imposed in view of the corona pandemic in the state. 

The transportation and Storage) Rules, 2015 to ensure optimum use of minor minerals for use in construction of roads, retaining walls, breast wall soling etc. This would facilitate easy availability of minerals such as stones and sand particularly in rural areas for construction purposes.

It was decided that in case of works related to construction of roads by different departments/ agencies of the State Government, the Mining Officers will grant permission for use of minor minerals generated during the construction of such works, exclusively for captive use (in-situ) in the same work i.e. construction of roads including retaining walls, breast walls soling etc. upto the extent of 10,000 MT per month at a time and not exceeding 20,000 MT per work on the report of Engineer in Charge of the work not below the rank of Assistant Engineer. 

The Cabinet also approved to insert a Rule providing that if any person not being a mining lease holder and not violated Rules and could not provide transit form, shall be liable to pay royalty at the applicable rates and penalty at the rate of 25 percent of royalty applicable. 

The Cabinet also decided to lift the night curfew imposed due to Covid-19 pandemic.  Further, all social/religious/cultural/political and other congregations including marriages and funerals are permitted to 50 percent of the capacity, both in indoor and outdoor areas.