ગુજરાતી
English
Gandhinagar, 7 April 2023
The Commission of Geology and Mining (CGM) of Gujarat has announced royalty for the financial year 22-23 of Rs. 2070 crores has been earned. In which there has been an increase of 19.44% as compared to the previous year. Major minerals like limestone, bauxite, lignite etc. contribute 30% of the total royalty collection. While minor minerals like common sand, blacktrap, granite, marble, china clay, building stone etc. contribute to 70% of the total royalty collection. 12 new limestone and bauxite major mineral blocks have been unearthed. The state has declared 365 minor mineral blocks.
The commission claims that it has developed Gujarat’s mineral wealth by implementing transparent, innovative and sustainable governance. But the theft of minerals more than the revenue is not being announced.
Growth was seen in 2019-20 and 2020-21. The revenue for 2021 is Rs. 1352 crores 1,733 crores. Which indicates the coming boom in the mining industry. Between 2021 and 2022, royalty collection is expected to see a 28% increase.
Single window system for royalty collection, digitization of mining lease documents, technology for monitoring, integrated lease management system. E-auction ensures transparency and accountability in evaluation of routes and river sand options.
The state government will grant more mining leases.
Gujarat is the first state to start Geo chemical mapping. In geochemical mapping, out of total 236 toposheets of the state, 86 toposheets cover an area of 54412 sq.km. Mineral sample analysis and mapping is done as per GSI standards. Advanced systems use Surfer, map data, and Geosoft Montage-geochemistry software to write CGM reports.
The Geology and Mining Commission of the Government of Gujarat functions under the Department of Industries and Mines, Government of Gujarat. 33 mineral offices are functioning in the respective districts (two offices in Kutch). The outgoing Commissioner of Geology and Mines is Mr. Roopwant Singh.
A mobile app was launched since 2016 to prevent theft of ore mined in the state of Gujarat. Which did not yield any result. Despite the facility of direct complaint on toll free number 1800-233-4640, no concrete action is taken against the theft.
More than 100 trucks and tractors carrying mineral royalty worth over Rs 2.5 crore are stolen every day in Dhebar, Ranpar and Pastor villages of Bhanwad taluka of Dwarka district. In the sweet eyes of the system, the property of the people of Gujarat is being looted. It is running in 19 districts. Where royalty worth Rs 50 to 75 crores is stolen daily. Royalty of 18 thousand crore to 28 thousand crore is being stolen. Most of them are happening in Surendranagar, Porbandar, Junagadh, Jamnagar, Dwarka, Bharuch, Bhavnagar districts. The government is getting only 10 per cent of the revenue. The Mineral Department can earn 23 thousand crores per year instead of 2000 crores.
