Speaking at the inaugural function of the annual session of Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI), the minister said that the environment and forest ministry should expedite approvals for various mining projects.

"The mining ministry is not always the enemy of forest and environment as it is usually made out to be. It has actually emerged as a socially responsible and environment-friendly industry," Dhindsa said.

The minister said that concerted efforts were needed to assess the mineral resources available in mineral rich areas located in forests, agriculture and grazing lands.

He added that once mining was over, the land could be put to more appropriate uses. Dhindsa expressed hope that the environment and forest ministry would sympathetically address the issues relating to the policies and procedures pertaining to the ministry.

In answer to Dhindsa's concerns, environment and forests minister TR Baalu raised a few of his own. He said the tendency to unnecessarily divert large areas of forest land without considering the mines' capacity needed to be checked. Baalu added that compliance to environmental safeguards stipulated for various mining projects was very poor. "If perceptible improvement in performance of environmental matters is not seen, the government will be constrained to take a hard view," he said.

Dhindsa asked the environment ministry to regulate surface use of mineral bearing areas "as per felt need" and ensure speedy grants of mining leases. According to Baalu, the government was conscious of delays in granting leases, but it was on account of incomplete proposals, additional information and clarifications. However, in what could be construed as an assurance to the mining industry, Baalu said that efforts were being made to further simplify formats and procedures and strengthen the appraisal mechanism. He said the government was also working on a a proposal to make provisions in the forest (conservation) rules whereby an appeal against an order of rejection can be made within 30 days of the date of order.