The Ministry of Coal has launched the Project Information and Management Module for the Single Window Clearance System (SWCS). While launching the new IT-enabled facility, Dr Anil Kumar Jain, Secretary-Coal, according to the release on PIB, has said that it is an innovative endeavour of the Ministry to create a platform to obtain various clearances for the operationalisation of coal mines in the country. He called upon the officials to organise interactive sessions in order to make the new facility familiar to all stakeholders.
Various statutory provisions such as approval of mining plan and mine closure plan, grant of mining lease, environment and forest clearances, wildlife clearance, safety, rehabilitation of project affected families, and welfare of workers are the prerequisites for starting a coal mine. These clearances are granted by various Central Ministries and State Government departments and agencies. As part of the decision to digitise the clearances, the ministry has conceptualised a Single Window Clearance System, through which it is possible to apply for requisite clearances with a single registration interface. The portal is proposed to map applications and their respective process flows for granting all the statutory clearances required for starting a coal mine. This project information and management module facilitates a digital connection between the mine allocattee and the ministry and provides the digital resolution in respect of the respective block. One of the major features of the module is the management of bank guarantees, upfront payment, major clearances, show cause notices and court cases.
