Minister pitches for mining & exploration in North East region

The Dollar Business Bureau The Union Minister for Steel & Mines, Narendra Singh Tomar, on Wednesday, pitched for the development of mines and steel industry in the north-east region, while also making a mention of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act 2015. In a meeting with Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister of Assam, the Union Minister discussed key aspects regarding development of Assam and other North East areas in the steel & mines sector. Post the meeting, the Union Minister made key announcements for the development of industry in the North East region, especially in the State of Assam and its surrounding districts. The Minister announced that a stocking facility for Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) products would be set up at Silchar, Assam. This facility of the Consignment Agent in Silchar shall improve supply of steel to Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and Southern districts of Assam, informed the Minister. The Minister further offered to take up detailed exploration of minerals in the State of Assam for development of industry in the area. He further agreed to set up a special committee under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary of Mines, Assam and comprising officials from Geological Survey of India and Government of India. The committee, to be formed, will work on expedition and intensification of the mining and exploration activities in Assam and other north-east States. This move by the Union Ministry to further strengthen exploration and mining activities in Assam gains importance in view of the recent fact that ‘promising leads of rare earth minerals have been identified in lower parts of the State’. In his opening remarks at the meeting, the Union Minister gave a detail on how the MMDR Act 2015 will help in ensuring greater transparency and better ease of doing business in the steel & mines sector. Stating that the Act provides a mechanism through the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) for provision of funds for development of areas affected by mining, the Minister also informed about the setting up of National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET), mainly focused on boosting exploration activities. And, the action plans taken for implementation of the said Act were also discussed during the meeting.    

May 20, 2015 | 4:05 pm IST.