National Mineral Policy 2006 - Department of Mines

applications where borders are disputed. Such a system also allows for ease in disseminatingan accurate picture of all lands applied for or currently under licence to all offices whereapplication can be lodged, thus better informing potential new applicants about what is and isnot available. Many of the systems even provide for on-line applications. Specialisedsoftware packages have been developed and are now available for adaptation and use byclient states. The current Indian system is inadequate and antiquated, and given India’sInformation Technology (IT) standing, international investors are astonished at the completelack of IT application in the mining tenement registry system in India. The Committeerecommends that the entire cadastre system be overhauled and an on-line registry be preparedon a campaign basis focusing on about 500,000 sq. km out of the hard rock area that has ageologically favourable environment.2.26 Rule 59 of MCR provides that the area previously held under a RP or a PL or a MLshould not be granted to another person unless the availability of the area is notified in theofficial Gazette. It is found that areas relinquished by the RP or PL holders are not becomingavailable for grant for long periods after the relinquishment simply because states are unableto meet this statutory requirement of gazetting a notification within a reasonable time.Although GOI has stipulated that such areas be notified within 60 days of relinquishment thetime limit is not being adhered to and consequently such areas are not made available toprospective investors. Moreover, there are different gazetting procedures in different states.For example, in Andhra Pradesh, the notification appears in the District Gazette through aDistrict Officer, whereas in Karnataka not even the Director has the power to notifyrelinquished areas in the official Gazette. Moreover, it is not possible to expect every one toaccess such official publications easily.2.27 The Committee is of the opinion that the availability of a spatially represented, easilyaccessible registry of all pending and granted exploration titles is a key part of a modernregulatory system. Therefore, the Committee recommends the following:(i)Modernise the present registry system by creating a digitised on-line mineralatlas, which will show mineral titles on a spatial map and would be accessibleto the public via the Internet. Investment of a large magnitude required by themining sector in India cannot come in unless such a system is in place. TheCommittee suggests that the modernisation programme may be taken up in63