Minister of Steel and Mines Prafulla Kumar Mallick on Saturday gave an account of measures taken by the State Government to streamline the mineral administration, particularly to prevent illegal mining and transportation of ores and minerals.
The Minister was inaugurating a national seminar organised by the Society of Geoscientists and Allied Chnologists (SGAT) here on Saturday.
Director of Mines Deepak Mohanty said Odisha is now a model in mineral administration in the country and this has been acknowledged by the Government of India.
SGAT advisor BK Mohanty mentioned that there are plethora of legislative provisions, taxation and guidelines governing mineral sector in the country and the stakeholders are at a loss to know the latest status. He stressed the need for compilation of all such legislative measures and guidelines.
Tata Sponge Iron limited MD Sanjay Pattnaik mentioned about mentioned about the highlights of the recently concluded Make in Odisha Conclave.
There were three technical sessions spread over two days covering topics like innovation in mineral exploration technique and Geo-spatial survey, development in mining and mineral processing technology and environment management in mining and process operations and statutory legislations governing mining operations in the country, infrastructure development. As many as 10 papers were presented. The constraints and impediments in the provisions of the amended Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act were highlighted. The welcome address and introduction was given by SGAT vice president Prof ON Mohanty.
The technical sessions were chaired by President of Indian Geological Congress Prof OP Verma and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change advisor VP Upadhayay. The valedictory session was addressed by Tata Steel, Gopalpur Project’s AK Mishra.