One hundred and twenty three mineral blocks would be auctioned in the next two fiscals, Union Minister for Mines Narendra Singh Tomar said on Friday, adding that the Central Government was in the processes of expediting the auctioning of mining leases which expire in 2020, so that production of minerals is not hampered.
Tomar, who chaired a meeting of Ministers of mines from across the States in Goa, also said that adoption of new technologies by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance Government had helped to curb illegal mining to a large extent.
"Right now, we have decided that in 2017-18, 72 blocks which have been identified, will be auctioned and in 2018-19, 51 (blocks)," Tomar said.
He also said that the Central Government, along with co-operation from respective State agencies, were pressing expedited auctioning of the mineral leases which are set to expire in 2020.
“The Centre and State Governments have unanimously decided that the auctioning process of these mines, whose leases expire in 2020, should begin right away so that they are auctioned before their expiry date and production does not stop," Tomar told a press conference. The Union Minister said that agencies like the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited would explore future mineral blocks.
, apart from central government public sector undertakings also pitching in.
The minister also said, that in the first phase of auctioning of 33 mineral blocks alone, the respective state governments had earned a revenue of Rs. 1.28 lakh crore and added that the auctioning policy introduced by the central government had paid good dividends.
Tomar further said, that adoption of new age technology in the mining sector had discouraged illegal mining to a large extent and had made processes transparent.
"There are strong deterrents to stop illegal mining in the act itself. New techniques and technology are being used to stop illegal mining, because of this illegal mining is restrained," Tomar said.
He also said that the new legislation to govern mining had taken into account the sufferings of the people who live in mining-affected areas.
and said that adequate compensation was being paid, from the District Mineral Fund, which is created from revenues earned from ore extraction.
"In our country, minerals are the property of every citizen and every one has a right over it. There can be no disagreement over this principle. But there has to be a process to tap this wealth for industries, for the betterment of the country and for mining to grow, there is the mining act and there is a process for it," he said.