Union Steel Minister Ram Chandra Prasad Singh on Friday directed PSUs under his ministry to start mining activity at their non-operational mines.
According to a steel ministry statement, the minister made these remarks at a meeting with CMDs of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), NMDC and Manganese Ore India Limited (MOIL).
“Steel Minister has expressed his concern over the non-operationalisation of certain mines…and directed the concerned CPSEs to finalise the roadmap for starting the mining operations in these non-working leases/mines,” the ministry statement said.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday announced that his cabinet had decided to carry out the auction of six to eight mining blocks in the state through the state-run mining corporation by mid-December.
“It is almost finalised. By December 15, we should be able to complete the auction procedure for about six to eight (mining) blocks. It will be done through the corporation but State Bank of India has been taken on board for the auction,” Sawant said after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning.
The announcement comes at a time when restarting mining has become one of the top election promises in poll-bound Goa. Mining, which was an important source of livelihood in Goa along with tourism, came to a complete halt after a Supreme Court order in 2018. Mining had, in fact, virtually stopped in 2012 itself while the issue was under litigation. A sector that has been awaiting revival in line with the directions of the Supreme Court is now a poll issue, with every political player offering to revive it and restore livelihoods.
