Coal Ministry Launches Single Window Clearance To Promote Data Digitalisation And Ease Of Business Operations

The Ministry of Coal today (Wednesday, 15 June) launched project information and management module of single window clearance system (SWCS). The new IT-enabled facility added to SWCS furthers the digitalisation of coal mine clearances in the country.

Problem With Clearances

Various statutory provisions such as 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 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 but a large chunk of these clearances are still given through offline mode.

In the absence of a unified platform for grant of clearances/approvals for starting of a coal mine, the project proponents are required to approach different administrative ministries and government departments separately to apply for the requisite clearances leading to delay in operationalisation of coal mines.

All of these clearances have different types of applications and procedures. Lack of awareness of project proponents in regards to number of statutory clearances, related applications and procedures for obtaining the same has further aggravated the problem for the project proponent. This has further resulted in delay in operationalisation of coal mines.

SWCS

As part of the initiative of ease of doing business by the government of India, the Ministry of Coal has conceptualised a SWCS portal, through which a project proponent can obtain various clearances for operationalisation of coal mines in the country.

The platform facilitates project proponents to apply for various clearances through a unified user registration to various central ministries as well as to state government departments/agencies with a feature of auto-fetch provision of data from preceding clearances/approvals.

The unified platform of SWCS currently includes an operational module for approval of mining plan and mine closure plan in a time bound manner and digital acceptance of objection under Section 8 (1) of Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition & Development) Act, 1957. It is also integrated with the consent management system of Telangana and West Bengal.

The portal is also integrated with the PARIVESH portal of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for more effective benefits.

A single-window integrated environmental management system named PARIVESH (pro-active and responsive facilitation by interactive, virtuous and environmental single window hub) has been developed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for complete online, expeditious and transparent system for environment, forest, wildlife and coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) clearances in the country. The facility is operational for processing of applications for environmental clearances (ECs), forest clearances (FCs) and CRZ clearances.

Mining Application Process Flow

The image below explains the steps to be followed by proponents before undertaking the mining activities at a specific mine.

New Addition

The project information and management module in SWCS digitally connects the mine allocattee and the 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. The module, thus, is likely to facilitate project proponents as well as ministry and state officials in monitoring and expeditious operationalisation of coal mines.