Chief Minister Raghubar Das has directed the officials to expedite the collection of revenue in the State as it plays an important role in putting welfare schemes on the ground.
Das, while holding a review meeting of Department of Industry, Mining and Geology at Project Building here to increase revenue collection in the State, also asked them to make at least 6-7 mines functional which will bring good amount of revenue for the State.
“If the mines are made functional in the State, more and more people will get employment besides bringing in development in those parts of the State,” said the CM. He also asked them to review every month to make them functional under the time limit which should be reviewed every two months under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary.
The Chief Minister also directed them to keep a close eye that the hills and hillocks in the State does not get affected of mining and take the locals into confidence before doing any activity in the area.
“There is a fair possibility of emerald mining in the State and hence the State must take positive steps to increase its production and auction it by fixing a rate through Government of India,” said the CM.
Mining Secretary Sunil Kumar Barnwal, while speaking during the meeting, informed the CM that a target of Rs 8500 crore of revenue collection has been fixed for the year and 40 per cent more collection than the previous year has been done this year. Barnwal also assured the CM that they will expedite the process of making the mines functional.
“At least 3-4 coal mines will be made functional in the next 3 months for which online permit is being issued by the department. A review will be done so that they do not get misused by anybody,” Barnwal said. At least 28 blocks are ready for auction and 21 sand mines have been identified for auctioning, he added.
“There is a possibility of an increase in revenue collection this year due to the steps taken by the department,” Barnwal said. Chief Secretary Sudhir Tripathi, Additional Chief Secretary Sukhdev Singh and other officials were also present during the meeting.