Quartz stone mining legalised at Arting in West Karbi Anglong

Our Correspondent

Diphu, Aug. 3 (EMN): The Mines and Minerals department, government of Assam, for the first time, has legalised quartz stone mining at Arting Quartzite Block -1 area in West Karbi Anglong, 40 km away from Hamren district headquarter.

On August 2, the mining site was formally opened by the Minister of Mines and Minerals and Power, Nandita Garlosa in the presence Of HAD Minister Jogen Mohon and Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang.

Ananda Kr Das, Director of Geology and Mining said, the sharing of royalty would be 60 percent of KAAC and 40 percent of state government. The total bid value is INR 2.5 crore out of which INR 1.23 crore will go to KAAC and INR 80 state government. The area of a mining site is 7965 sq. meter. The lease is allotted for 7 years where the royalty has to pay in four intervals.

At Arting (C), Mupu-ut playgro Minister Garlosa said the tribal areas are blessed with resources but the benefits are late in reaching them and that the hill districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao have many to be done by the Ministry of Mines & Minerals.

The minister said that KAAC will receive a revenue share of 60 percent, while the state government will be 40 percent. VAT will go to the council as the land belongs to the council. Garlosa also announced the electrification of Arting through government electrification schemes and RDSS. She also said exploration should not go to the extent of degrading the environment.

The CEM of KAAC, Ronghang said the road from Lamhemphi to Arting will be completed soon while various development schemes will also be executed in West Karbi Anglong.

The HAD Minister, Jogen Mohon said, as the Guardian minister, he is concerned about the development of the hill districts of Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong and NC Hills.