By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR: Union Mines Ministry has requested Odisha among 11 major Mineral and Coal bearing States to facilitate auctions and implementation of mining reforms post MMDR Amendment 2021.
Alok Tandon, Union Mines Secretary held a meeting with senior officials of Odisha among 11 other States and requested them to take step for early auction of both virgin and running blocks, lease period of which got expired and going to expired.
“Secretary, Ministry of Mines, GOI on 15 July 2021 interacted with Principal Secretaries/Secretaries of 11 major mineral states and requested them to facilitate auctions and implementation of mining reforms post MMDR Amendment 2021. States assured to initiate actions on priority,” Ministry Of Mines tweeted @MinesMinIndia on Friday.
Early this month, Odisha Director of Mines under the Steel and Mines Department had issued Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) for online auction of dozen over mining blocks, including 7 virgin blocks.
The 7 iron ore blocks are — Nadidih (Bico), Purheibahal, Chandiposhi, Jumka Pathriposhi, Dholtapahar, Netrabandha Pahar (West) and Gandhalpada. Similarly, 2 iron ore and manganese blocks put under the hammer are — Nadidih (Feegrade) and Teherai. Kasia mineral block having both iron ore and dolomite has also been put for the auction. The government has put Karlapat bauxite mineral block, a virgin block, for auction.
The interested bidder can purchase the tender documents till August 19, 2021 while August 24 is the last date for submission of the bid. The tender fee for all the 11 blocks is Rs 5 lakh each. Accordingly, the government has invited financial bids in digital format only and technical bids in both digital and physical format.
“In exercise of powers conferred by Section 10 (B) of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and in accordance with the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015 as amended from time to time notified thereunder, the Government of Odisha has identified 11 mineral blocks as under for electronic auction and hereby invites tenders for the purposes of grant of Mining Lease,” the directorate had earlier said. The four blocks, whose lease has already expired are Kasia Iron Ore & Dolomite Block, Nadidih Iron Ore Block (BICO), Nadidih Iron Ore & Manganese Block (FEEGRADE) and Teherai Iron ore & Manganese Block.
The Government has put only Karlapat bauxite mineral block, a virgin one, for auction along with these iron and manganese blocks. All these seven blocks are virgin areas. Bidders, who would bag these blocks, would have to develop blocks for mining.
Further, Sociedade De Fomento Industrial Private Ltd, Vishal LPG Industries and Tarama Apartment Private Ltd are debarred from participating in Nadidih Iron Ore Block (BICO), Nadidih Iron Ore and Manganese Block (FEEGRADE) and Teherai Iron Ore and Manganese Block, respectively.
