‘Star rating’ of mining leases will signify the efforts and initiatives taken for implementation of Sustainable Development Framework (SDF).
Ministry of Mines, Government of India has issued a notification on 23 May’16 relating to star rating scheme of mining leases. A ‘star rating’ will be awarded to the mining leases for their efforts and initiatives taken for implementation of the Sustainable Development Framework (SDF). One to five stars would be given to the mines. The best performing leases would be given 5 stars.
Objective behind setting up of ‘star rating’ mechanism
The objective behind star rating scheme is to have a built in compliance mechanism for environment and forest safeguards and will help in recognizing good performers in the sector while encouraging all mining lease holders to strive for excellence.
The star rating system will initially start for the major mineral mining leases. The mining leases which have been operational for more than 180 days in the year of reporting would be eligible for star rating.
How will it work?
A web portal for online filling up the evaluation template is being developed by IBM with the help of National Institute for Smart Government (NISG). The process of online filing of star rating template will be in place in Jun’16 and the mining lease holders will be required to fill up the evaluation template for star rating for the reporting year of FY16 on self-certification basis, within Jun’16.
The lessees would fill up the evaluation template on the portal and on that basis a provisional ‘star rating’ would be awarded to the mining lease. The confirmation of star rating would be given upon the due verification in the next inspection by IBM official. The mining leases would be awarded in their category – large, medium and small on the basis of the star rating evaluation. It is planned that workshops on the star rating system and filling up of evaluation template will be organized at the regional offices of IBM.
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