The Ministry of Coal has launched Project Information &
Management Module of Single Window Clearance System
(SWCS) here today. While launching the new IT- enabled facility, the Secretary
Coal Dr. Anil Kumar Jain said that it is an innovative endeavour
of the Ministry to create a platform to obtain various clearances for
operationalization of coal mines in the country. He called upon the officials
to organize interactive sessions in order to make the new facility familiar to
all stakeholders.
Various statutory provisions viz. approval of
Mining Plan and Mine Closure Plan, Grant of Mining Lease, Environment and
Forest Clearances, Wild Life Clearance, Safety, Rehabilitation of project
affected families, welfare of workers etc. are the prerequisite for starting of
a coal mine. These clearances are being granted by various Central Ministries
and State Government departments/agencies. Some of the clearances have their
online portals; still most of the clearances are being given through offline
mode. The project proponents are required to approach different administrative
ministries and Government departments separately to apply for the requisite
clearances leading to delay in operationalization of coal mines.
As part of the decision to digitize the clearances,
Ministry of Coal has conceptualized a Single Window Clearance System, through
which a project proponent can apply for requisite clearances with a single
registration interface. The portal is proposed to map applications and their
respective process flows for grant of all the statutory clearances required
(covering Central Ministries as well as State Government departments/agencies)
for starting of a Coal Mine.
To facilitate ease of doing business, a
unified platform of SWCS is designed which includes already operational module
for approval of mining plan and mine closure plan in a time bound manner and
integration with Parivesh Portal, digital acceptance
of objection under Section 8 (1) of Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition &
Development) Act, 1957, Consent Management System of Telangana & West
Bengal.
Ministry of Coal has added in its kitty of
SWCS, Project Information & Management Module, which is likely to
facilitate project proponent as well as Ministry and State officials in
monitoring and expeditious implementation of coal mines.
This project Information & Management
Module caters digital connect between the mine allocattee
& Ministry and provides the digital resolution in respect of the respective
block. One of the major features of the module is the management of Bank
Guarantee, Upfront payment, major clearances, show cause notices and court
cases.