The two-day 4th Conference of Mining Ministers concluded in Goa on Friday, with Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy calling for stronger Centre–State coordination to accelerate mineral exploration, enhance mining revenues and strengthen India’s mineral self-reliance.
Deliberations on the second day focused on key priorities for the growth of the mining sector, with representatives from Telangana, West Bengal, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala participating in the discussions. State representatives shared their experiences, highlighted sector-specific issues and discussed challenges and opportunities in mining.
Addressing the conference, Reddy emphasised the need for the Centre and States to work together to expedite mineral exploration, particularly in view of the growing demand for critical minerals. He also stressed the importance of increasing revenue for States through mining activities, improving mine planning and ensuring effective mine closure practices.
Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey underlined the need for collective efforts by States to accelerate mining initiatives and contribute towards strengthening the country’s mineral self-reliance.
Ministry of Mines Secretary Keshav Chandra said the Ministry had taken note of the issues and suggestions raised by participating States. He assured them that efforts would be made to address the challenges, particularly delays and procedural bottlenecks, through improved coordination and timely resolution of pending matters.
The conference concluded on a positive note, with participants reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation between the Centre and States, resolving key challenges and accelerating the development of India’s mining sector.
The discussions were aligned with the broader vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, with an emphasis on making the mining sector more efficient and responsive to the country’s growing mineral requirements.
(PIB)
