The State Government has begun the process for auction of 12 mineral blocks by December this year.
Mines Director Dipak Mohanty said the Government has come up with a notification for auction of 12 mines by December this year and apprised the Rajya Sabha legislature Committee of the notification to this effect.
“The Government has apprised the Rajya Sabha legislature Committee of the notification to this effect. It has also told the committee that it will submit a report relating to auction of mines within ten days,” he added.
The blocks enlisted for auctions in the first phase include five iron ore blocks, one bauxite block, the rest being manganese, dolomite and limestone blocks, said sources. Earlier in October, the Government had hoped to put 12 identified mineral blocks to auction in November but failed to do so. Meanwhile, sources added that the Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) survey was commissioned.
To kick-start the auction process, the Government has already formed a committee under Development Commissioner UN Behera. The committee’s mandate was to monitor the preparatory work relating to auction of major mineral concessions, including conduct of DGPS survey and preparation of tender documents.
According to the notified Auction Rules, 2015, the Governments would have the discretion to reserve a particular mine or mines for any particular end use. Auctions can be conducted only through an online electronic platform.