Senior BJP leader and Rourkela MlA Dilip Ray is known as the strong rival of Chef Minister Naveen Patnaik. But he is not hesitant to praise certain decision of the Patnaik Government and that too at a time when he is in the limelight for his boycott of BJP’s Vikash rally at Rourkela.
In his social media page, Ray mentioned that a decision of the State Government to set up a Mineral Exploration Corporation to harness mining sector’s potential through scientific process is a right step towards ensuring transparency in mining operations.
The corporation is supposed to optimise mineral production in the State, and check illegal exploration by lessees. The corporation is mandated to do survey and research on new mines and minerals in the State which could be identified and explored, he added.
Apart from core minerals like coal, iron and manganese, there are nearly 700 sqkm of virgin and freehold area bearing minerals like bauxite, China clay, cobalt, chromite, graphite, nickel and platinum etc. If explored in a scientific way, these minerals can contribute substantially to the State’s GDP. Availability of these minerals abundantly in the State can spur industrial growth and create more employment opportunities in the State, Ray noted.
The Central Government has asked the State to upgrade major auctionable mines to G3 level of exploration which could enable speedier production as the provision of prospecting licence is waived. The State Government should benefit from the Centre’s revised policies to effectively manage mineral exploration in the State which could enhance revenue while containing illegal mining operations, he opined.