North East News Agency

“The North-East Region has abundant mineral resources which call for adoption of extensive exploratory methods by suitable investments to determine economic viability and by establishing a geological data base.”

This was stated by the Joint secretary. Ministry of Coal, Government of India, while participating in the ‘Sectoral meeting on Mineral’ called by the NEC in Shillong to make plans for Vision 2020. The Joint secretary called for adoption of scientific methods of mining through conservation and also address environmental and ecological issues as the North-East has a fragile ecology.

Geological Survey of India officials, present in the meeting, revealed that the entire North-East region has been covered geologically. The total revenue earned from mineral production was Rs. 3439.76 crores in the year 2002-03 with petroleum being the highest of Rs. 3086.8 crore, coal being Rs. 357.8 crore and limestone Rs. 3.93 crore. The mineral finds by the GSI include 909 mt. coal in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya and Manipur. They said that during 2005-06 there are plans to search for minerals like gold, sillimanite and base metals in places like Barapani and Nongpoh respectively. During 2004-05, the GSI took up 33 items grouped under 9 missions covering the seven North East States.

Officials from Arunachal Pradesh called for relaxation in Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for mineral development and also speedy environmental clearances by the Government of India in the region which is predominantly covered by forest and hilly terrain.

There is a proposal to open coal sector mining to private parties and also revision of coal royalty by the Central Government. There are about 909 mt. of coal reserves in the North-East where more improved mining techniques will be used in the future.

The Sectoral meeting on  Mineral was presided over by Dr. I.K. Borthakur, Member, NEC. The meeting was attended by senior officials from Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya and Sikkim.

It may be mentioned that in order to develop a Vision Plan for the year 2020, the North Eastern Council began its sectoral meeting where the concerned officers in charge of each sector of all    member states and officials from the central government are participating. The Vision 2020 is expected to fulfill the needs, hopes and aspirations of the people at grass root level for overall economic development of the Region.

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