New Delhi, May 30 (IANS)—According to a statement released by the Ministry of Mines on Thursday, the Centre has asked states to implement reforms for increasing transparency and efficiency in the minor minerals sector, which includes granite and marble.
During a meeting in Bengaluru with state government officials, the Mines Secretary, V. L. Kantha Rao, highlighted the many reforms and initiatives that the Government of India has implemented in the mining sector. He pushed the State Governments to implement similar changes in the small-scale mining industry.
He also mentioned that all stakeholders now have easier access to data thanks to the Central government’s extensive data and information on exploration being made available through the NGDR (National Geo-Data Repository) Portal. This programme, powered by gathered data from Central agencies, aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in the mining sector.
Attending the workshop were representatives from PSUs, Tamil Nadu (NS:TNNP), Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, Additional Chief Secretary & Development Commissioner, Government of Karnataka, stressed the value of industry-government cooperation in resolving administrative, technological, and other problems in the granite and marble mining sector.
She emphasised that mining is just one type of economic activity that needs to be sustainable. Dr. Shalini emphasised the use of IT platforms to handle crucial aspects of the mining sector, enabling openness and lowering grievances. She also invited new ideas and creative contributions to constructively solve the sector’s difficulties.
Following the first meeting, a number of stakeholders gave presentations on the problems associated with the mining of granite and marble. The governments of Telangana, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh then made presentations in which they addressed the concerns raised by the industry association and expounded upon the Best Practices for the Regulation of Granite and Marble Minerals.
The Central Government has urged state governments to introduce reforms in the granite and marble mining sector, aiming to boost transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in extraction and trade. The move is expected to enhance revenue generation, streamline operations, and promote responsible mining practices across the country.
Need for Reforms
The granite and marble industry in India plays a crucial role in the construction, interior design, and export markets. However, the sector has long been plagued by issues such as:
- Illegal mining and unregulated operations
- Underreporting of production and revenue losses
- Environmental degradation due to unsustainable extraction
- Inefficiencies in auction and lease allocation processes
To address these concerns, the Ministry of Mines has called on states to implement policy reforms that ensure greater transparency in leasing processes, improved regulatory oversight, and the adoption of sustainable mining practices.
Key Reform Measures Suggested
The Centre has proposed several policy interventions, including:
- Transition to an auction-based system for granting mining leases to eliminate favoritism and ensure fair competition.
- Strengthening monitoring mechanisms through satellite tracking and digital reporting systems to curb illegal mining.
- Encouraging value addition by promoting processing and exports to boost the sector’s economic contribution.
- Environmental compliance to reduce ecological damage and promote responsible mining.
Impact on the Industry
If implemented effectively, these reforms are expected to:
- Attract more investments in the granite and marble industry.
- Boost exports by ensuring better quality and regulated supply chains.
- Enhance state revenues through better compliance and transparency.
With growing demand for natural stones in both domestic and international markets, these reforms could position India as a leading supplier of high-quality granite and marble while ensuring sustainable mining practices.
Group Media Publication
Construction, Infrastructure and Mining
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