Jharkhand Slams Brakes on Mineral Block Auctions, Center Issues Warning
New Delhi: The Central Government has expressed disappointment with Jharkhand’s slow pace in auctioning 10 mineral blocks. In a stern warning, the Ministry of Mines and Coal has stated that if the state fails to take prompt action, the Center itself will step in to conduct the auctions.
According to sources, the Center has asked Jharkhand to speed up the process, citing the significant economic benefits that mineral block auctions can bring to the state. The 10 mineral blocks in question are estimated to hold valuable reserves of coal, iron ore, and other minerals.
The Jharkhand government has been given a deadline to take concrete steps towards auctioning the blocks within a specific time frame. The Center emphasized that the state’s failure to act would force it to intervene and conduct the auctions itself to ensure that the natural resources are utilized for the benefit of the country.
“We have been urging Jharkhand to take action on these blocks for a long time. It is disappointing that they have not taken the necessary steps. We cannot let this valuable resource go to waste,” said a senior official from the Ministry of Mines and Coal.
The warning from the Center has put the Jharkhand government under pressure. The state authorities have assured the Center that they will take immediate action to expedite the auction process and ensure its completion within the stipulated timeline.
Mineral block auctions are a crucial mechanism for the development of the mining sector in India. They provide transparency and competition, leading to higher revenue generation for the government and the economic progress of mineral-rich states like Jharkhand.
