AP CS updates PMO on mining block auctions

Chief Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Pramod Kumar Mishra, held a video conference with the Chief Secretaries of ten states under Category A to review the auction and operationalisation of mining blocks. The conference, held on Thursday from New Delhi, assessed the progress made by the states in mineral block auctions, operationalisation, and related environmental matters.
States have been classified into three categories—A, B, and C—based on their mineral reserves. Category A includes Odisha, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh. During the meeting, Mishra reviewed the steps taken by these states concerning mining auctions and operationalisation while emphasising environmental compliance.
The discussions focused on expediting the auction and operationalisation process. Mishra directed the Chief Secretaries to take necessary measures to ensure the timely completion of these procedures while adhering to environmental norms.
Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Secretary, K Vijayanand, participated in the conference and briefed on the State’s progress in auctioning and operationalising mineral blocks.
The meeting underscored the need for swift implementation of the auction process while maintaining environmental safeguards and enhancing overall efficiency.
Special Chief Secretary (Revenue Department) R P Sisodia, Secretary (Mines Department) Praveen Kumar, PCCF Ajay Kumar Nayak, Additional PCCF Rahul Pandey, and Secretary of APPCB Sreesharavanan, along with other state officials, were present in the meeting.