Two Day National Conclave On Mines & Minerals Begins At Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley Launches 5 Projects Under PMKKKY. Union Mines & Steel Minister Urges The Mining Industry To Spend 10% Of Their Profits On Mineral Exploration.Shri Narender Singh Tomar Shares Vision for Increasing Share of Mining In GDP To 6%. Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley inaugurated 5 pilot projects to be implemented under Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan
Yojana (PMKKKY) at the National Conclave on Mines & Minerals in Raipur today. The two-day conclave is being attended by stalwarts from mining industry and academia. The beneficiaries of the projects joined in the projects joined in the inaugural programme via video-streaming from Dantewada. They expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for this revolutionary scheme. In his address Shri Jaitley commended the changes in policy and legislation brought in the mining sector in past two years. These have strengthened the mining industry and paved way for employment generation, development of mining affected areas and welfare of people living in mining areas. Indian economy is bucking the global trend by registering more than 7 per cent GDP growth . When the downtrend in global commodity reverses, mining industry will benefit the most. Steps being taken to explore the resources will further boost the growth of mines and minerals industry. Chhattisgarh state is a brilliant example of what a growing mining sector can do for a state.

Minister of Mines & Steel Shri Narendra Singh Tomar urged the mining industry to allocate 10 per cent of their profits to mineral exploration, so that true potential of India's mineral resources can be harnessed. All stakeholders must work together to increase the share of mining in GDP from present 2.4 % to 6 %. PMKKKY will ensure that the benefits of this growth reach the rightful owners of the mineral wealth, who are poorest of the poor living in mining areas. Chhattisgarh has taken lead in implementing the mining reforms ushered in by the central government and deserves compliments for the same. MMDR Amendment Act has introduced revolutionary changes which have led to end of the era of corruption, nepotism and favouritism. The exploration will now be of international standards using  state of the art technologies, for harmonious and balanced use of resources. Successful auction of mineral blocks, 9 % growth in production of major minerals and participation in large numbers in this first-of-its-kind National conclave, are all indicators of a transformed and vibrant mining sector in India. Shri Tomar expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for his guidance and support at every stage.

Chief Minister, Chhattisgarh Dr. Raman Singh remarked that in a swift, one-stroke decision of auction of mineral blocks by the Prime Minister and Shri Tomar, history was created. Vision and quick execution have been the hallmark of mining reforms in past two years. For the state of Chhattisgarh, the DMF and PMKKKY have proven to be immensely valuable. The state plans to complete mapping of whole area in coming three years. Chhattisgarh govt. has taken a decision that all expenses on higher education of children living in mining areas shall be borne by the state.

Union Minister of State for Steel and Mine Shri Vishnu Deo Sai expressed happiness that the first conclave has been organised in Chhattisgarh. The mining sector has been transformed from a moribund state to a dynamci one under the leadership of the Prime Minister and Shri Narender Singh Tomar. The conclave will prove to be a milestone in the history of mining reforms in India.

Various important initiatives in the field of mining were inaugurated by the dignitaries during the opening session. These included award of star rating of pilot mines, announcement of the skill plan of the ministry of mines, unveiling of National mineral exploration policy and atomic mineral rules.