Jaipur. Mines and Animal Husbandry Minister Pramod Jain Bhaya has said that to speed up the prospecting and exploration work of the immense mineral wealth of the state, necessary resources will be made available from Rajasthan State Mineral Exploration Trust for basic infrastructure and technical up-gradation. He directed that work should be done through outsourcing and PPP from experienced institutions for exploration, preparation of mineral blocks and auctions so that more and more blocks could be prepared and competitive rates could be obtained.
Mines Minister Pramod Jain Bhaya was addressing the first meeting of the Board of Directors of RSMET at the Secretariat on Friday. He said that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has formed RSMET only to speed up mineral exploration and mining work in the state and according to his spirit and intention, the department is speeding up the exploration and auction of blocks. In other states, the number of minerals is limited, whereas mining of 57 types of minerals is being done in the state.
Minister Bhaya told that Rs 3 crore 76 lakh from RSMET. Necessary resources will be made available to the Central Laboratory, Drilling Section and Geophysical, Remote Sensing and Petrology Sections with the financial support of the The departmental laboratory will be strengthened and made of NABL level. This will enable the latest equipment required including analysis of samples, seamless drilling to depth, microscope cameras, gravity meters, magnetometers etc. Talking about the achievements of this year, he congratulated the departmental officers for the record auction and revenue generation.
Bhaya said that the work of Beri Ganga and Balsamand etc. should be speeded up on the lines of Banshipahadpur. Timely preparation and auction of mineral blocks prevents illegal mining, encourages legal mining, generates revenue for the state government and provides employment to thousands of people directly and indirectly.
Additional Chief Secretary Mines, Petroleum and Energy Dr. Subodh Agrawal informed that through RSMET Rs. Blocks of Kalakhunta, Tambesara, Ruppkheda in Banswara and Manganese and Limestone in Prithipura and Dhulkheda Zipia of Bhilwara, Iron Ore at Kajlodia and Garnet blocks have been prepared at Sankaria Kheda. He said that these blocks would generate a potential income of Rs.225 crore as upfront payment and overall Rs.14752 crore. Drilling work will be done for iron ore, limestone, mineral exploration at 8 places. He said that the minor mineral blocks would also be made ready for auction from this fund.
Dr. Aggarwal said that along with strict action against illegal mining, transportation and storage, it is the result of effective efforts to increase revenue that this year record revenue is going to be earned.
Principal Secretary Revenue Anand Kumar informed that the Revenue Department is giving priority support for mining blocks. Forest Secretary Shri V Praveen also gave suggestions in the meeting.
DMG KB Pandya informed that this is the first time that the mining blocks of the state have received 192 percent more than the reserve price. He said that outsourcing would speed up the search and auction work.
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