Minister Pralhad Joshi Urges State Governments to Further Strengthen Mining Infrastructure; Offers every Assistance from the Centre
Radiance
News Service
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52 Mining Block Reports of GSI handed over to 15 States Governments
5-star rated awards presented for sustainable Mining
Union Minister
of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi said that Ministry of
Mines is open to considering further policy reforms to bring about more growth
in the mining sector of the country. Addressing the fifth National conclave on
Mines and Minerals here today, Minister Joshi said that the Centre can consider
more incentives to the State Governments to give more fillip to mining process
across the Nation. He urged the State Governments to strengthen available
mineral infrastructure for attaining this goal. The Minister pointed out that
during the first seven months of this financial year, Odisha Government has
generated Rs.10000 Crore through proactive auction process of mines. He added that
the focus should be on reducing import of minerals to the very minimum.
During the
day-long conclave, Minister  Joshi gave
away awards to 5-star rated mines for sustainable mining practices and all
round performance. In all 149 awards for the last three years have been given
away to different public and private sector firms from across the country.
Handing over of 52 Geological Survey of India (GSI) approved mine blocks to 15
State Governments was one of the major highlights of the National Conclave. The
Minister also inaugurated an E-portal of accreditation scheme for Mineral
exploration.
Earlier, panel
discussions on recent amendments in Mineral Act and rules and presentation by
state Government Mining department officials have been held as part of the
conclave. GSI has presented a technical session on advanced exploration
technology and the on-going strategy for identifying more mineral blocks.
Secretary Ministry of Mines AlokTandon, senior
functionaries of the Ministry, GSI,NMET, different PSUs and representatives of
State Governments and industrial sector participated in the brain storming
sessions.
The first ever national conclave on Mines and Minerals
was held at Raipur in 2016. Subsequently similar conclaves have been held
annually in Delhi and Indore. At the onset of the Mines and Minerals
(Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, the regime of auction for
grant of mineral concessions has brought about transparency and removed
discretion to a great extent. This has not only resulted in substantial
increase in the revenue to the State Governments but also brought about paradigm
of ‘ease of doing business’ in mining sector.