The Rajasthan government has introduced a new scheme for the miners to ask for the state’s help. Amnesty is a scheme to forgive miners as well as other people involved in mining by awarding the reduction of a debt to be paid. This is the amnesty for all outstanding dues and interests relating to mines, particularly quatrains about minor minerals. It will be available until March 31, 2025.
The main reason for this scheme is to help the government collect money that is still unpaid from people in the mining business. The government’s move to reduce the miners’ payable sum is expected to lead to settlements. It will also help the state acquire much more funding for its equally important public sectors. The Chief Minister, Bhajan Lal Sharma, cleared that the miners with outstanding liabilities will have to pay a low amount, usually 10-30% of the total based on the debt they owe when getting the funds. This plan was part of the revised 2024 state budget.
The amnesty program applies to different mining scenarios spanning from mining leases, quarry licenses, and temporary work permits (TWP). This also includes the fees miners might owe the Mines Department, such as penalties or plus charges. For example, miners who haven’t paid to extract gravel or use temporary permits for brick kilns can use this program to settle their debts at a reduced rate. The scheme also helps miners who owe money because they mined outside approved areas.
The Rajasthan government allows those who have debts to settle them by paying much less. In some instances, the miners involved would only need to issue 10-60% of the first amounts. To those practicing unlawful mining outside permitted sectors, can cancel their liabilities for as little as 15-25% of the total amount.
One of the most helpful parts of the scheme is that it reduces both the interest and the main amount owed. According to T. Ravikant, Principal Secretary of the Mines and Petroleum Department, miners could receive up to a 90% discount on the amount they owe, depending on how long their dues have been outstanding. Moreover, the government has also decided to give up the interest that mines should have paid to these organizations; hence; miners don’t need to pay them.
However, the installment program is not applicable to all obligations. No tax waiver will be granted for decisions made by the courts, the State Minerals Exploration Trust (RSMET), or the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT).
For miners who haven’t submitted their monthly reports on time, the scheme gives them a chance to avoid penalties by submitting their reports by March 31, 2025. This encourages miners to follow the rules and stay up-to-date with their paperwork.
The Rajasthan government has hopes for this program and it is expected that it will be a very effective one, providing a good opportunity for the miners to pay off their debts and to adhere to the rules properly. The government is facing this issue by providing miners with big discounts and penalties for what they owe and waiving penalties. Also, it supports the illegal miners to divert their activities to the legal component by laying down their punishment with a grace period that is lower than normal.
In summary, the amnesty scheme of the Rajasthan government is a clever answer to the issue of illegal mining fines. It allows miners to clear their debts easily and, at the same time, the state can get back the money that was not paid to it. Through significant discounts and waivers, miners, as well as other people participating in mining activities, can make a profit, while the state receives a higher revenue. Thus, the scheme is equally favorable to both the government and the mining community.
