**Executive Summary**
This document contains amendments to the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959, regarding brick kiln registration and annual fees. It also includes announcements related to guidelines for employing women in night shifts and draft revisions to the Bidi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Rules, 1968. The government seeks feedback on the latter by a specific date, and the draft revisions will be considered three months after publication.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Amendments to Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959 (Industry Department):**
* **Rule 19 Amendment:**
* Replaces section (a) of sub-rule (2) of Rule 19 concerning brick kiln registration.
* Mandates registration for each brick-making unit for extracting clay from the earth.
* Sets registration fee at Rs. 3,000 for Chamber kilns and Rs. 300 for Country brick kilns, payable to the District Treasury.
* Requires application to District Collector with treasury receipt (Form IV).
* District Collector to issue a registration certificate (Form V) valid for three years.
* Renewal possible once every three years upon paying 50% of the original registration fee.
* Requires each brick unit to submit a copy of the registration certificate (Form I), a letter of consent from the land patta holder, and a non-refundable fee of Rs. 1,500, along with annual fees based on kiln type, to the District Collector.
* **Annual Fee Structure:**
* Up to 16 Chambers: Rs. 60,000 per kiln.
* 17 to 26 Chambers: Rs. 75,000 per kiln.
* Above 26 Chambers: Rs. 90,000 per kiln.
* Country Kiln (up to 15 holes): Rs. 10,000 per kiln.
* Country Kiln (above 15 holes): Rs. 12,000 per kiln.
* **Form Insertion:**
* Adds forms IV and V related to brick kiln registration.
* **Amendments to Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959 (Industry Department - Further Amendments):**
* **Rule 12 Amendment:**
* Replaces sub-rule (2) of Rule 12 concerning the excavation of clay, alluvial soil, sod, and gravel in water bodies under the control of Public Works or Rural Development.
* Provides guidelines for excavation activities in water bodies.
* **Guidelines for Employing Women in Night Shifts (Labour and Employment Department):**
* **New Rule 84B added to Tamil Nadu Factories Rules, 1950:**
* It is the employer's responsibility to prevent sexual harassment in the factory.
* Requires factories to have a complaints committee to resolve complaints confidentially and within a specified timeframe.
* Allows women workers to raise sexual harassment issues in worker meetings.
* Factories must provide adequate lighting, safe transportation, separate dining facilities, and medical assistance.
* Ensures women are appointed to supervisory/shift-in-charge positions.
* **Draft Revisions to Bidi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Rules, 1968:**
* This section announces proposed revisions to the Tamil Nadu rules governing bidi and cigar workers.
* The government invites objections or suggestions, to be submitted by a certain date.
* **Key Draft Amendments:**
* Replaces the existing schedule with a revised "Schedule" that details fees for factory premises with and without electricity.
* Increases fees for licenses and renewals.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Brick Kiln Owners / Operators**
* **Impact:** Need to comply with new registration process and fee structure for clay extraction. Face new or altered costs for registration and annual operation.
* **Action Required:** Apply for registration and renewal of registration certificates, paying the stipulated fees.
* **District Collectors**
* **Impact:** Charged with implementing the new registration and fee collection process.
* **Action Required:** Process registration applications, issue certificates, and collect fees according to the amended rules.
* **Women Employees in Factories**
* **Impact:** Benefit from guidelines aimed at ensuring safety and preventing sexual harassment in night shifts.
* **Action Required:** Familiarize themselves with the new guidelines and report any violations to the complaints committee.
* **Employers in Bidi and Cigar Industry**
* **Impact:** Potential increased costs due to revised fee structure for licenses and renewals.
* **Action Required:** Review the draft revisions and submit any objections or suggestions to the Labour Welfare Commissioner by the specified date.
* **Workers in the Bidi and Cigar Industry**
* **Impact:** They may be able to submit feedback on the potential impact of the amendments on working conditions and industry viability.
* **Action Required:** Review the draft revisions and submit any objections or suggestions to the Labour Welfare Commissioner by the specified date.
Key Entities Referenced
Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959: The rules governing concessions for minor minerals in Tamil Nadu, amended in this notification.
Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957: Central Act regulating mines and minerals, under which the state rules are amended.
District Collector: Official responsible for granting permission to extract minerals and issue record for brick kilns.
Chennai: A location where regulations are implied.