e Governance Model for Environmental Decision Making for Mining in India

India is a mineral wealthy nation. It has a huge geological potential. According to the geological survey of India (GSI) the national exploration agency, the country is yet to tap its complete potential. It has huge reserves of important minerals awaiting exploration. Conventional wisdom and geological evidence suggest that India is richly endowed with mineral resources. Explorations have found over 20,000 known mineral deposits and recoverable reserves of more than 60 minerals.
Worldwide, the mining industry is on an overdrive. Propelled by China’s growing economy its persistent passion for unprocessed substance minerals, due to this mineral prices are hitting roof. The global mining industry is having a dream run. Between 2002 and 2005, the index of world prices of minerals, ores and metal has more than doubled. This has escorted in a time of restless mining and profiteering in countries like India. The value of mineral production in India has more than tripled since liberalization of mining sector in 1993. The values grew at surprising rate of 10.7% during 1993-2005. The growth of the Indian mining industry is likely to be much higher in the coming years.
In between 2002-2006, an area of 900 Km2 was opened for mining for major minerals. Environmental clearances were granted to 540 mines during this period and as on April 2007, there were 508 mining projects awaiting environmental clearance. The Indian mining industry is characterized by a large number of small mines and is dominated by public sector. With only 25% of India’s operational mines, the public sector accounts for 75% of the total value of mineral production. The thrust of the new mining policy being promulgated by the government is to move India mining towards privately owned large scale, mechanized mines. India’s forests mineral bearing areas, regions of tribal habitation watersheds are all mapped together; they will overlay one another on almost the same areas. In other words, India’s major mineral reserves i.e., under its richest forests and in the watersheds of its key rivers. An estimates 1.64 lakhs ha of forest land has been diverted for mining in the country. Forest land diversion for mining has been rising. During 1998-2005, 216 mining projects were granted forest clearances annually, as against 19 per year during 1980-97.
In 1994 the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification was passed under the Environment Protection Act 1986. It outlined the procedure for granting environmental clearance to industrial and development projects with the objective of maintaining a balance between the three pillars of development, environment, society and economy. According to this procedure projects classifies on the basis of scale and impacts required to prepare an EIA report. The findings of report are presented to the local community in public hearing process during which the local have an opportunity to express their opinion on the project. The summarized minutes of the public hearing and EIA report then presented to the clearance committee set up at the state or central level which the decides on the fate of the projects. On paper this seems to be an excellent and foolproof method to reduce the environmental and social implications of a project to reduce the environmental and social implication of a project. But in practice, this rarely happens. The whole procedure stands completely diluted and has been reduces to being a mere formality due to corruption on some levels. For providing ease in the process of granting permission and environment clearance Government of India revised 1994 notification and issued new notification in 2006. But still there is no improvement in working and granting permissions. Complex laws in India and typical bureaucracy force immense pressure on several decisions. Executive role of Judiciary several time need to implement law. E governance provides transparency in decision making for all development. E governance based model for environment decision making for mining will help in sustainable management of resources, reduce in development delay. The delay in development cost money and unsustainably in development.
Successful governance can be realized through maximum dissemination of information. E governance involves knowledge and understanding, if sharing laws and citizens" involvement in environmental decision making for mining model will develop this could help in root out corruption and fasten the decision making procedure. This could attract more foreign companies which will contribute in development of nation in multidimensional way if they will get transparent system of decision making for establishing new mines.

Research Questions:
Can e governance bring transparency in decision making?
Can e governance help in simplifying complex environment decision making for mining?
What could be the e governance model for environment decision making for mining?
What will be benefits from e governance model for environment decision making for mining?
Methodology:
In India a few departments of state governments and centre government establish models for district and state level for transparent decision making which are below-

E-governance in Andhra Pradesh
Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) showcases the various E-Governance initiatives and applications being implemented in the state. CARD (Computer-Aided Administration of Registration Department), an e-government project started by the state government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) in India. CARD was adjudged one of the ten finalists in the International Innovation awards program instituted by the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management. The CARD project aimed at the complete computerization of the land registration process in AP. The case highlights the problems faced by the citizens of AP before the implementation of CARD. It provides detailed information about the implementation of the project, the services offered and the benefits reaped by the citizens and GoAP after the implementation of the project (1).

E-Governance in Ministries/Departments and State Governments
The website of the Ministry of Information Technology (MIT), Govt. of India lists briefly the E-Governance Initiatives undertaken by the various Ministries/Departments and States Governments(2)..

Mechanism of Single Window Clearance System
To overcome the inordinately long time required to obtain the statutory approvals/licenses etc. from various government departments/agencies, the Bureau of Industrial Promotion & Office of the Commissioner (Investment & NRIs), Government of Rajasthan, has introduced a Single Window Clearance System through a Single Composite Application Form (3)

E-Governance in Panchayats (Local People Parliament) in Kerala
The website of the department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions features an article on the e-governance initiatives adopted by the panchayats in Kerala (4).

EPackage for Effective Administration of Registration Laws Project in Kerala
The Government of Kerala has launched a project titled PEARL (Package for Effective Administration of Registration Laws) for computerization of the Registration Department in the State (5).
The above developed models will be taken in consideration. On the basis of finding one e governance model for environmental decision making for mining decision will be develop.
Expected Results:
This study will provide transparent system of decision making which will help in managing environment decision making for mining in speedy way. The engagement has been structured across key streams relating to design of e-Governance roadmap for the environment decision making for mining that includes:
Preparation of a blueprint for environment decision making for mining.
Plan to implement the recommended e-Governance initiatives
Assessment of the capacity gaps for implementing the e-Governance initiatives
Special Note(s):
Develop a portal which provides services directory such that the companies may avail the services without the need to know which department provides that service.
Provide information on procedures and downloadable forms on the internet and make them available through various channels.
Re-engineer processes and redesign forms to make it easier for the companies to demand and avail services
Devise a feedback mechanism so as to get constant feedback and adapt to companies needs and demands
Develop and follow standards and guidelines for interdepartmental data transfer to expedite flow of information between departments.
Create and follow formal content management processes to ensure that the content is regularly updated and correct.
Clear and accurate information about each service and transaction. Companies should be able to use the E-Government channel to follow up and track the progress of their permission and application.
Companies should be shielded from the various internal operations and activities involved in delivering a service.

Reference:
(1) http://www.ap-it.com/egovernance.html dated 12/03/08
(2) http://www.mit.gov.in/eg/ms.asp dated 12/03/08
(3) http://www.rajgovt.org/news/singwindow.htm dated 12/03/08
(4) http://persmin.nic.in/arpg/egov.htm#6 dated 12/03/08
(5) http://www.hindubusinessline.com/2000/08/12/stories/141260r1.htm dated 12/03/08