Union Minister of Mines, Coal and Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, on Monday, said that the North East region has been accorded top priority for development under the Prime Minister’s agenda of transforming India.
In his address at the first Northeast Geology & Mining Ministers Conclave, at Niathu Resort, Chümoukedima, Nagaland, Joshi said that Geological Survey of India (GSI) has taken up 108 projects in NER on different mineral commodities during the last five years and 23 mineral exploration projects on various commodities in NER in current field season 2022-23.
The Government is also funding projects through National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET), Shri Joshi added, giving the example of two completed mineral exploration projects of limestone and iron ore in Nagaland that were funded by NMET.
Pralhad Joshi further proposed that GSI and Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) can give training to state Geologist and other functionaries for their capacity building.
However, the Mines Minister also stated his concerns regarding auctioning process in the NE region and urged the state governments to resolve the issues pertaining to auction in different states of NER.
“The establishment of resources and their successful auctioning will bring economic prosperity through revenue augmentation, employment generation, industry influx, which will further lead to overall growth and development of the northeast. The successful auctioning of the blocks can also act as a catalyst to bring other financing sources to the region,” he pointed out.
(Credit: PIB Kohima)
Apart from Geology & Mining Ministers from all North East states, Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma and Chief Minister of host Nagaland Neiphiu Rio attended the Conclave.
Neiphiu Rio expressing concern that the northeastern states are yet to make a mark in the mineral block auction, he said “such issues need to be addressed”.
Nagaland, besides oil and natural gas, has economically viable resources such as coal, limestone (cement and chemical grade) and multi-metal magnetite, the CM said.
The state has not been able to exploit the resources due to rugged terrain, remote locations that do not have sufficient connectivity, land ownership systems and other factors, apart from prolonged non-settlement of the Naga political issue, Rio pointed out.
“These factors have inhibited the proactive participation of exploration and extraction agencies in the state,” he lamented.
Addressed the 1st-ever Geology & Mining Conclave in Dimapur, Nagaland. Spoke about noteworthy steps taken by the Northeast States under PM @NarendraModi Ji’s #ActEast Policy. Emphasised on mineral exploration in NER which will further the economic development in the region. pic.twitter.com/fmvUUQbbA7
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) October 31, 2022
Later, addressing the media, the Union Minister said “The Ministry of Mines is making continuous efforts to encourage mining activities pan India. Accordingly, to further encourage exploration activities in the mineral-rich northeast region, the first such conclave was held in Nagaland,”.
“The Centre is also keenly examining the environmental implications of coal and oil exploration in the region,” the Union Mines and Coal maintained.
Sanjay Lohiya, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Mines stated that the Ministry is focused on increasing the pace of exploration of minerals in the country as well as on auction of mineral blocks.
GSI is focusing on completing National Baseline Geoscience Data Generation programme in the country and has increased focus on exploration of critical minerals in the NE region, he said, adding that three projects of more than Rs. 10 crore had been recently sanctioned from NMET to the state of Assam.
He added that the Ministry of Mines and its bodies GSI, IBM, MECL will be extending full support to the state governments. Expressing hope, Lohiya said that this conclave will go a long way in improving mining and geological activities in the region.
(With inputs from PTI)
