The Odisha Geological Service Association (OGSA) organised its 26th annual general body meeting on September 18.
Inordinate delay in promotion, junior class-I status from entry level, insurance coverage for field officers, enhancement of Compensatory Allowance (CA) were some of the basic demands raised by the association before the Government.
The Odisha Geological Service Association (OGSA) was established in 1990 by the officers in the ‘Geological Survey and Exploration Wing’ of ‘Odisha Mining and Geology Service’ Cadre. It was subsequently accorded recognition in the year 1998. The members of OGSA constitute the technical officers of the Directorate of Geology, Odisha including Geologists, Geophysicists, Petrologists, DDGs, JDGs, JDGs l-I and will now include the newly created post of Additional Director of Geology. The idea behind forming of such an association was to promote solidarity of profession and to diffuse useful knowledge and goodwill among its members.
Notably, geoscientists of this Directorate are instrumental in the proving of 500 million tonnes of iron ore, 1,000 million tonnes of bauxite, 31 million tonnes of heavy minerals in the beach sands along the coast, 18 million tonnes of chromite ore in the Sukinda Valley, assessment 9,602 million tonnes of thermal grade coal, limestone reserves of 602 million tonnes.
A diamondiferous lamproite pipe rock has been discovered in the Kalmidadar area of Nuapada district through persistent exploration efforts. Potential satellite bodies of kimberlite/ lamproite have been discovered around Pokhanpadar, Supuli, Bharuamunda, Kathiwadi and Arkholi etc. in the same district. 28 gem bearing tracts have been identified through UNDP collaboration in the Kalahandi, Nuapada, Bolangir, Boudh, Subarnapur, Angul and Sambalpur districts.
Today Odisha is the only State in the country to have the advantage of high resolution airborne geophysical survey data over most of its hard rock terrain. land use, land cover and coastal geomorphology studies have been taken up along the entire Odisha coast of 486 km by officers of this Directorate.
Over the time, the responsibilities of the officers of the Directorate of Geology has increased manifold. The geoscientists are trying hard to convert previously done G3/G4 level of exploration to G2 level and delineating blocks for auction as per the directive of newly amended MMD&R Act. The geoscientists have also taken up the challenge and acted as authorised officers to approve mining plans for minor minerals. Till date more than 500 mining plans have been scrutinised and approved by these geoscientists, which will definitely enhance the Government exchequer and will ensure a systematic mining of these resources.