The State Government has decided to collect a user fee of Rs 1 per tonne for issue of e-pass for transportation of minerals.
According to the Steel and Mines Department notification, the amount collected towards user fee may be provided from time to time in the expenditure budget of the Department under appropriate head of account to be spent for maintenance of information technology hardware and software installed in the circles, Directorate of Mines and Steel and Mines Department.
This will also be utilised for purchase of furniture and stationery, procurement and replacement of hardware, software and consumable goods, development of additional software and modules, as and when required.
The notification said expenditure on creation of project management unit in circles, Directorate of Mines and Steel and Mines Department and hiring of professionals will be spent from this fund.
Besides, payment of remuneration to the security guards and other personnel for manning the check gates, installation of CCTV, high mast lights, solar lights, generators, pre-frabricated cabins and payment of cost of diesel and gasoline for generators will be done by utilising the fund.
The amount will also be utilised for procurement of equipment, including handheld devices and meeting the expenditure on annual maintenance contract, the notification added.
The decision has been taken by amending the Odisha Mineral (Prevention of Theft, Smuggling and Illegal Mining and Regulation of Possession, Storage, Trading and Transportation) Rules, 2007, as per the powers conferred by Section 23C of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
The new rules will be called the Odisha Mineral (Prevention of Theft, Smuggling and Illegal Mining and Regulation of Possession, Storage, Trading and Transportation) Amendment Rules, 2012