PUNJAB government provides major relief to the brick kilns

Chandigarh, March 15, 2013: In a significant development the Punjab government today gave major relief to the brick kiln owner in the state to resume their operation by exempting the excavation of Ordinary Earth/Brick Earth from an area of not more than 4 hectare and a depth not exceeding 1.5 meter from the purview of Environment Management Plan/Mining Plan.

Disclosing this here today Anil Joshi, Industries and Commerce and Technical Education Minister said that notification in this regard has been issued. He said that this decision of the Punjab Government would provide much relief to the Brick Kilns of the State of Punjab as these Brick Kilns would now be able to commence their production by obtaining a permit from the Department, for excavation of Brick Earth. The Minister further informed that with this, the supply of Building Material will ease out in the market and hence it would speed up the development works in the State.

The Minister further said that the Department of Industries and Commerce has earlier notified The Punjab Minor Mineral Rules, 2013 on March 8. Under these rules, a District Level Committee under the Chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner has been formed which would approve the Environment Management Plan for the quarries having area below 5 Hectare.