Bhopal:Monday, February 16, 2009: The Minister of State for Mineral Resources and Forests (independent charge) Shri Rajendra Shukla has said that mineral and natural resources would be exploited scientifically to the optimum for all round development of the state. Shri Shukla said that special schemes would be implemented for removing environmental imbalance under the 100-day action plan of the department. He informed that a new mineral policy is on the anvil for this. He said that the staff would be strengthened to put a more effective check on illegal mining and transportation of minerals.Shri Shukla informed that proper survey of minerals like dolomite, limestone, coal, iron ore, bauxite would be conducted which would include penetration also. Besides, the departmental officers would make physical inspection of about 50 mines and after this their proper excavation would be ensured as per the scheme.
The Minister said that coordination will be established with the Indian Bureau of Mines to ensure removal of environmental imbalance. A meeting will also be held with M.P. Pollution Control Board to review the measures taken for environment protection.
Shri Shukla informed that basic requirements would be provided at the mines of coal, slate, manganese etc. For this, meetings of important cement manufacturing companies would be convened.
The Minister informed that coal based and other minerals and methane gas deposits will be used for development of the state. Action would be taken after taking necessary measures for coal excavation from the applied captive coal to use it for energy sector.
The Minister further said that in allotment of small likes like sand priority will be given to people below poverty line and educated unemployed youths. He said that accreditation powers have been given to grant mining leases in Madhya Pradesh Minor Mineral Rules. It would be made compulsory to publish in daily newspapers the information of mining lease allotment.