No License required to operate Stone Crushers, Hot & Wet Mixing Plants

Govt notifies new rules, removes burden of dual registrations

STATE TIMES NEWS

Jammu: In its resolve to promote ‘Ease of Doing Business’ by creating a business-friendly environment, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir today notified the J&K Stone Crushers/ Hot and Wet Mixing Plants Regulation Rules, 2021 which have dispensed away the requirement of a license to start operation of stone crushers/ hot and wet mixing plants in Jammu and Kashmir. The decision will facilitate establishment and functioning of stone crushers, hot & wet mixing plants and boost the supply of raw material required in the construction sector. This will also expedite completion of various mega-projects in Jammu & Kashmir.
The new rules recognize a stone crusher/hot and wet mixing plant as a mineral-based (raw material) processing unit different from those indulged in mineral mining activity. As such, the applicability of provisions regulating the working of industrial units has been extended to cover these units, thus, doing away with the need of obtaining respective licenses from the Mining Department. However, if a stone crusher/hot and wet mixing plant undertakes mining of mineral as an additional line of activity, it shall then be additionally governed by the rules applicable to mining industrial units.

The rules make it obligatory on the mineral processing units to procure minor minerals from a valid mining concessionaire registered with the Mining Department. The Department has been authorized to inspect such units, ascertain the source of the raw material and undertake seizure of the illegally sourced minerals.
Moreover, the rules also simplify the unit establishment process by reducing the requisite clearances/ NOCs to merely two documents namely- Consent to Operate (CTO) from Pollution Control Board (PCB) and NOC from the concerned Deputy Commissioner regarding the title of land and its usage. Issuance of district-level NOC has been brought under the J&K Public Services Guarantee Act, 2011 making it mandatory to issue the document within 30 days.
The industrial units can voluntarily opt for registration with the Industries and Commerce Department through Udyog Aadhar registration to avail the benefits under various Government-sponsored schemes.
The decision provides major relief to the entrepreneurs by removing the burden of double registrations wherein the unit holders had to go through the rigorous procedures of registrations/ licensing with the Industries and Commerce Department as well as the Mining Department.