Port Blair, Sept. 20: Developmental works in the Islands which were hampered due to non operation of quarries will now be set in motion with the Central Government delegating its powers to the Lt. Governor under section 26(1) of the Mines and Minerals Act 1957. Consequently, the Lt. Governor has given his nod to notify the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Minor Mineral Rules 2012. This will facilitate grant and renewal of quarry permits and quarry operations will commence without any hindrance.

It may be recalled that consequent upon the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court a direction was issued that quarry permit will not be renewed till the Minor Minerals Rules are framed by the State Governments. Accordingly, the Administration prepared the draft rules and forwarded the same for approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs with the request to delegate the powers vested in the Central Government to the Lt. Governor. The Lt. Governor had actively pursued the matter with the Home Ministry for early finalisation of the Rules so that developmental activities could be restarted after the monsoon and before the onset of working season of the current year.