Jaipur : 47 major mineral blocks have been auctioned in Rajasthan in the last one year. CM Bhajan Lal has said that by auctioning the main mineral blocks, it has got the first position in the country. CM Bhajan Lal Sharma said that there is immense potential of mineral resources in Rajasthan. About 30 lakh people are getting direct and indirect employment from mining. The mining sector also plays an important role in the state’s revenue. In such a situation, the priority of the state government is that the mineral resources should be properly exploited. Revenue should be increased in this area. He instructed the officers to work by setting targets. He said that the department should speed up mining exploration work and identify new mining areas and make the auction process transparent.
In the review meeting of the Mines and Petroleum Department at the Chief Minister’s Office on Monday, the CM said that the mineral resources obtained from nature should be used for the welfare of the public. There should be transparency in the entire process. He instructed the officers that an assessment committee should be formed for various activities of the mines department and its regular meetings should also be organised. He also gave instructions to discuss with the firm concerned for the refinery project and prepare an action plan for its early operation.
Rajasthan first in the country in mineral block auction
The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of great happiness that the present government has achieved first place in the country by auctioning 47 major mineral blocks in its first year in office, whereas the previous government had auctioned only 34 blocks in its entire 5-year tenure. Had done. He said that similarly, the present government has auctioned 426 plots for mining lease of minor minerals in the first year whereas only 282 plots were auctioned during the tenure of the previous government. This shows that our government is working with commitment to increase the state’s revenue from mining and prevent corruption.
New mining policy approved
CM said that recently the Cabinet has approved the new Mineral Policy 2024 and the new M-Send Policy 2024. The new mining policy will provide employment to mining based industries, industrial investment, youth and local people in the state and increase in revenue. Besides, this policy will also prove important in curbing illegal mining activities. He said that the new M-Sand policy will promote the establishment of M-Sand units in the state and the use of M-Sand as a cheap alternative to gravel.
The Chief Minister said that officials should ensure that mining work across the state is carried out as per the rules, so that illegal mining is curbed and legal mining is promoted. He also gave instructions to auction mining leases regularly. He instructed the officials that the department should direct the institutions providing gas under CGDA to complete 100 percent work in at least one district by the year 2025. It was told in the meeting that this year till October 2024, an increase of Rs 270.45 crore was recorded in royalty from major minerals. Similarly, this year till October 2024, an increase of Rs 199.45 crore was recorded in royalty from major minor minerals. In the year 2024-25, the Mines Department generated an income of more than Rs 1,12 crore from the plot auction of mineral gravel, whereas no plot of mineral gravel was auctioned during the tenure of the previous government. Apart from gravel, revenue income of Rs 396 crore was generated in the e-auction of plots of all minor minerals in the year 2024-25. An amount of Rs 4 thousand 957 crore was utilized by the department from DMFT head.
