Imphal: The Manipur government has amended the Government of Manipur (Allocation) Rule, 2009. This information was disclosed through an Office Memorandum issued by the Office of the Divisional Forest Officer, Central Forest Division, Imphal.
With this amendment, the regulation of transit of minor minerals in both forest and non-forest areas, including patta land, now falls under the jurisdiction of the Forest Department.
The memorandum, signed by N. Ganesh, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Government of Manipur, directs all field functionaries and Range Forest Officers to strictly implement the relevant rules from MFR 2021 and the Schedule of Royalty notification dated November 10, 2022.
They are instructed to collect revenue from Transit Permit (TP) fees and royalties, even in non-forest land, as per IV (3)(f) of the said notification. The Certificate of Origin for minor minerals must be verified at each revenue station and mobile beat office, regardless of the origin of the minerals.
Furthermore, for forest produce (sand, earth, stone, i.e., minor minerals) excavated from non-forest areas or private lands, the Forest Department is authorized to charge a transit fee of 5% of the royalty of such produce, provided a valid Certificate of Origin, issued under Manipur Forest Rules by the concerned Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), is present. Vehicles transporting these materials without a valid Certificate of Origin may be subject to confiscation.
