Mines Department Earns ₹1,670 Crore Revenue in Just Two and a Half Months

Jaipur : The Principal Secretary of the Mines and Geology Department, Mr. T. Ravikant, has emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to enhance revenue in the mining sector and to achieve the department’s 100% targeted revenue collection. He informed that by 17 June of the current financial year, the department has already earned ₹1,670 crore, marking the highest-ever revenue collected during this period.

To improve transparency in departmental operations, Mr. Ravikant has directed that all mining-related applications be made online to eliminate the need for unnecessary visits to departmental offices.

Mr. Ravikant was addressing departmental officers during a hybrid-mode meeting held at the Udaipur Mineral Bhavan on Friday. He stated that the department has introduced an online approval system for mining plans. Similarly, the complete processes of lease information and demand systems have been digitized, significantly saving time and resources while also benefiting mining leaseholders.

Under the guidance of Chief Minister Mr. Bhajan Lal Sharma, the department has also initiated the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for mineral exploration on a pilot basis. Based on the outcomes of the pilot project, further expansion will be considered. Additionally, the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) will be made more practical by prioritizing development projects in mining-affected areas—particularly in health, education, skill development, and women and child welfare.

Mr. Ravikant stressed expediting the delineation and preparation of mineral plots and blocks, as well as improving coordination between the Mining and Geology Wings. This would help facilitate the auctioning of more minor and major mineral blocks, leading to increased investment, employment, and revenue, and also helping to curb illegal mining. He further directed that stronger efforts be made to recover both old and current outstanding dues.

Director of Mines, Mr. Deepak Tanwar, suggested that there should be periodic reviews at the level of Superintending Mining Engineers covering key areas such as revenue recovery, delineation, plot auctions, RCC/ERCC tendering, and royalty collection. He also emphasized that revenue defaulters must be served immediate notices to ensure timely payments.

Mr. Tanwar assured that the department is committed to achieving the revenue targets set by the state government. He urged field officers to not wait until the end of the financial year but instead ensure monthly collections aligned with the set targets.

During the review meeting, instructions were issued for the timely resolution of pending cases in courts, assembly queries, and grievances or letters received from the Chief Minister’s or Chief Secretary’s office.

Key participants in the meeting included Joint Secretary Mrs. Ashu Chaudhary, OSD Mr. Shrikrishna Sharma, SG Mr. Sunil Verma, JLR Mr. Gajendra Singh, along with Additional Directors of Mining and Geology, Superintending Mining Engineers, Mining Engineers (ME/AME), and Superintending Geologists.