Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel informed Union Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi about the development at a virtual meeting. According to state officials, Joshi praised the state for taking the initiative to sell mineral blocks under the Centre’s directions.
Baghel sought Joshi to reserve Bailadila Iron Ore Mine-1 for the Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC) to boost iron ore-based industrialization in the Bastar area during the meeting, which was also attended by top secretaries from the coal ministry and the state. He went on to say that such a move could be a smart strategy to address the region’s Left-Wing Extremism problem.
Baghel also asked the Union minister to change the Centre’s order making District Collectors ex-officio chairs and all MPs ex-officio members of the District Mineral Foundations, according to officials (DMF).
Joshi told those present that he would take the necessary steps on the state’s demands. He also praised the state for being the first in the country to auction mine blocks following the federal government’s directives.
In a series of tweets after the meeting, Joshi said, “Following up on mining reforms, had a meeting with CM of Chhattisgarh, Shri @bhupeshbaghel ji. Deliberated on several ongoing issues pertaining to coal and mineral mining in state. Government is working with state administration to facilitate early operationalisation of auctioned mines.”
In other tweets, he said, “Hon’ble CM has assured to auction more than 16 blocks over the next 2 months. These will be from long-standing blocked mines that have reserves of 1,192 MT worth nearly Rs 1.9 lakh crore.”
He also asked for the immediate transfer of Rs 4,100 crore, which was collected from private coal mines before 2014, as ordered by the Supreme Court. Joshi responded by ordering officials to submit a proposal to the Centre requesting that the agency use funding from the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) investigate the availability of base metals in the Bodal area Rajnandgaon’s Ambagarh outpost.
Baghel remarked that industry may be a better tool for eradicating Naxalism in the Bastar region, and he told the Chief Minister that he would take the required steps in this direction.
