DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONS AND ACTIVITIES
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- The Department of Mines and Geology is entrusted with both promotional and regulatory
functions for overall development of Mineral Sector and collection of mineral revenue
to the State Exchequer.
- In Andhra Pradesh State under the control of Director of Mines & Geology oversee
the functions of receipt & processing of Mineral Concession applications, grant
of leases for Minor Minerals, approval of Mine Plans, Inspection of Mines, curbing
of illicit Mining and Transportation, Vigilance,monitoring of Mineral Production,
Survey & Demarcation of areas, Mineral Revenue Collection, Mineral Investigations
& explorations and dissemination of Mineral information.
- In Andhra Pradesh State, there are :- (a) Assistant Directors of Mines &
Geology offices at Srikakulam, Tekkali, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli,
Rajahmundry, Eluru, Vijayawada, Nandigama, Guntur, Dachepalli, Ongole, Markapur,
Nellore, Chittoor, Palamaneru, Kadapa, Yerraguntla, Tadipatri, Anantapur, Kurnool
and Banaganapalli. (b) Assistant Directors of Mines & Geology (Vigilance)
at Visakhapatnam , Rajahmundry , Eluru, Vijayawada , Guntur, Ongole, Nellore , Tirupati
and Gooty. (c) Regional Deputy Directors of Mines & Geology offices at Visakhapatnam,
Kakinada , Guntur, Kadapa and Kurnool . (d) Zonal Joint Directors of Mines
& Geology at Visakhapatnam, Ongole and Kadapa
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VIGILANCE
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- There are (9) Vigilance Offices in the Districts and (5) Regional Mobile Squads
stationed at (5) Regional Dy. Directors of Mines & Geology and operating at Srikakulam,
Vizianagaram, Guntur, Kurnool and Kadapa and there are (2) Central Vigilance Units
at Directorate of Mines & Geology. There are two integrated check posts at Tada
and Naraharipet and observation check posts at Ibrahimpatnam, Krishna Dist.; Piduguralla,
Guntur Dist.; Bugga, Bethamcherla, & Dhone, Kurnool Dist. for effective vigilance
to curb illegal mining & transportation of minerals. During 2013-14, the Department
booked (5546) cases and collected penalty of Rs.779.37 lakhs in the Andhra Pradesh
State.
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TASK FORCE
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Based on the instructions
from Ministry of Mines, Government of India, the State Government constituted a
State Level Task Force under the Chairmanship of the Secretary, Industries & Commerce
Department, similarly District Level Task Forces were constituted under the Chairmanship
of District Collector concerned..
The State Level Task Force conducts meetings and discuss
issues of Forest and Revenue clearances for quick disposal of Mineral Concession
Applications as a measure to minimize illicit mining and transportation, more powers
for seizure of vehicles under M.V. Act, blanket clearances in respect of mineral
bearing areas falling in Revenue lands, identification of compensatory land adjacent
of Forest areas, by Forest Department, recovery of Seigniorage fee from the bills
of contractors with one time penalty, inclusion of Commercial Tax Department, Seizure
and safe custody of vehicles in the respective Police stations etc. There is a need
to reconstitute the State Level Task Force in Andhra Pradesh due to Reorganization
and include Commercial Tax Dept. as member for better understanding and reconciliation
of information.
Similarly, the District Level Task Force Committee
also conduct meetings regularly and discuss the matters relating to prevention of
illegal mining/quarrying and transportation of minerals and recommend issues regarding
inter-departmental co-ordination/co-operation in curbing illegal activity to the
State Level Task Force for issue of suitable instructions for concerted efforts
to resolve the local problems in controlling illegal mining and transportation of
minerals.
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DEVOLUTION OF POWERS
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The Department is also instrumental in devolution
and delegation of certain powers to the Zonal Joint Directors in respect of Mineral
regulation, issue of Mineral Revenue Clearance Certificate, approval of Mineral
Revenue Assessment, Issue of Notices, approval of Mining Plans and transfer and
deputation of staff for effective Mineral administration at ground level. The Department
delegated powers to District Officers from the Regional Offices for issue of way
bills under Mineral Dealers Rules 2000 to facilitate the Mineral Dealers to obtain
way bills immediately from the respective district offices..
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