Staff Reporter

Shillong, Oct 1: The Forest and Environment department has failed to utilize the Rs 102.02 crore Meghalaya Minor Mineral Reclamation Fund (MMMRF) for reclamation, rehabilitation and restoration of mines of minor minerals including abandoned or illegal mines across the state.

This was revealed by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in its report on revenue sector for the year ended March 31, 2022. 

The report said as per bank statements of MMMRF and statements furnished by the PCCF & HoFF, total accumulated amount of MMMRF as on 31 March 2021 was ₹ 102.02 crore.

However, an amount of Rs 0.07 crore only was utilised towards payment of wages to two contractual staff engaged to assist the Secretary, Meghalaya Minor Minerals Reclamation Fund Committee. 

"No expenditure had been incurred on reclamation works by the Forests & Environment Department," the CAG said. 

It said that the reason for non-utilisation of the fund towards the purpose for which the MMMRF was created despite availability of fund was not stated.

The Department stated (March 2023) that the MMMR Fund Management Guidelines was notified only in April 2022 and for want of guidelines the fund could not be utilised prior to the notification. 

As per guidelines issued by the Forests and Environment department dated April 8, 2022, MMMRF shall be utilised for the purpose of reclamation, rehabilitation and restoration of quarry/mines of minor minerals including abandoned or illegal mines/quarry, restoration of direct or indirect damage to forests, wildlife habitats, wildlife corridors and environment in general, as a result of mining and allied activities; prevention of illegal mining and others.

The government of Meghalaya had fixed the rates for contribution of MMMRF at 10% of the PWD's Schedule of Rates (SOR) for stone and sand. 

The CAG said there was non-realisation of MMMRF amounting to Rs 14.51 crore as well as short-realisation of Rs 3.29 crore due to failure of the department. 

No action was found to have been taken by the DFOs with the user agencies to ensure that MMMRF is compulsorily deducted at source and at the prescribed rate.

The department stated in March 2023, that nothing is mentioned in the MMMC Rules for contribution of MMMRF by the user agencies. However, the department has communicated to the user agencies to deposit the MMMRF dues accordingly. 

The department's reply confirmed absence of codified rules to ensure mandatory collection of MMMRF by the user agencies from the contractor's bills.