By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: While replying to BJD’s Athagarh MLA Ranedra Pratap Swain in Odisha State Assembly, State Steel and Mines, Commence and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena said, the Government is gearing up to auction near about 30 mines blocks during 2024-25.
Out of the 30 blocks, 25 are virgin blocks while 5 others are lease expired blocks, he said adding Government has completed all formalities required for auction of 14 mineral blocks.
The expired mineral blocks which are kept ready for auction are– Koira Iron ore block, Roida-I Iron Ore & Manganese block, Putulipani Iron ore block, and Jalahuri lron Ore & Manganese block.
Similarly, six virgin blocks including Jhumka-Pathiriposhi West Iron ore block, Karlapat Bauxite block, Nunapaimali Bauxite block, Orahuri Manganese & Iron Ore block, Bhanjikususm Manganese block and Roida-D Manganese block are also kept ready for auction. Of the 10 blocks , Sundergarh 4, Keonjhar 4, Koraput 1 and Rayagada 1.
It may be noted here that the State Government has already auctioned 44 mineral blocks since 2020. Out of the 44 auctioned mines, 24 blocks are now operational, while operation is yet to be started at the remaining 20 mines as forest clearance has not been issued for these blocks till now
Government has completed the process for auctioning of 22 mineral blocks, whose leases were expired and 22 virgin blocks in accordance with the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015.
