Tahsildars have 14 days to clear mining land NOC, delays will automatically move to collectors

Principal Secretary, Mines and Geology, Mukesh Kumar Meena. File | Photo credit: KVS Giri

Principal Secretary Mines and Geology Mukesh Kumar Meena has directed officials to strictly adhere to the no-objection (NOC) land clearance timelines for mining applications and eliminate dependency through OMEPS 2.0 (Online Mineral ePermit System 2.0).

Reviewing the implementation of the time-bound mechanism with officials of mines, revenue and forests through video conferencing, Mr. Meena said that every application should be processed within the prescribed time and the delay escalated immediately through the portal.

Under the revised procedure, the Tahsildar has 14 days from the notification to issue or reject the NOC. If you take no action, the application is automatically forwarded to the Joint Collector, who gets seven days. Further delay results in escalation to the District Collector with an additional seven-day timeline. The portal alerts the Director of Mines and Geology at each stage.

Mr. Meena directed the Joint Collector and Revenue officials to keep a close eye on the pending applications and the District Collectors to ensure compliance of Tahsildars. Willful delay or negligence would attract liability, he said.

It also mandated mine officials to properly scrutinize the applications and submit site plans showing existing leases. Applications relating to land within 500 meters of protected forests should be sent simultaneously to the district forest officials.

Officials from all 26 districts participated.

Published – 29 Sep 2026 17:40 IST