Jharkhand CM directs to speed up auction, operation of mineral blocks

Directs for cancellation of allotment for uninterested cos

Ranchi, February 8:Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren on Thursday directed officers to speed up the auction and operation of mineral blocks in the state.

Soren was reviewing the progress of the works of the Mines and Geology Department.

Maintaining that mining is one of the main sources of revenue for the state, he said that any delay leads to a loss in revenue.

Operations at the mining blocks that have already been auctioned or allotted should be started at the earliest, he said.

“Issue show cause notices to the companies who are not showing interest in mining works, and then cancel their allotments,” Soren directed the officers.

He also said that the auction or allocation process for 10 mineral blocks, identified by the government, should be completed by the end of February.

Forest clearance should not be an obstacle in starting activities in the mineral blocks, the chief minister said.

In case there is an issue, officers of the Mining Department must sort those out with the Forest Department, he said.

Champai Soren also advised the officials to hold a meeting with the company or institution to which the responsibility of mining work has been allotted and get the mining work started soon. Cancel the allotment by giving show cause to those companies that are not showing interest in mining work.

The Chief Minister told the officials that all actions related to the auction process of major and minor mineral blocks should be completed by March 2024.

Champai Soren directed the officials to immediately start mining work in all those coal blocks which have been auctioned and mining work has not started yet. Keep this in mind that delay in mining work leads to loss of revenue.

The Chief Minister directed the officials to hold a meeting with the Principal Secretary Forest Department and complete all the processes for forest clearance of those coal blocks for which forest clearance has not been done, so that the mining work can start as soon as possible. .

Chief Minister also received information about the sand ghat auction and directed the officials that the department should continuously monitor so that consumers can get sand easily and at reasonable prices so that people do not face any kind of inconvenience. If any obstacle is arising in the tender process of Balughat, it should be resolved soon.

Champai Soren directed the officials to make appointment on contract basis in view of the sanctioned post of Geologist in the Mining Department and send requisition to JPSC for regular appointment.