Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the economy has been affected by COVID pandemic. Mineral activities give impetus to the economy. It is our resolve to extend maximum co-operation in fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolve of Self-reliant India. Every effort will be made to speed up mining activities in State. It will be an endeavour to auction more than one hundred mineral blocks in the State by 2022.

He was holding discussion with Union Mineral Minister Prahlad Joshi through video conferencing on mineral related issues of the state.

Union Minister of State for Minerals, Raosaheb Danve from New Delhi also participated in the video conference. Union Minister Prahlad Joshi said that mineral activities contribute to the basic economy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi intends to expedite the auction of mineral blocks by simplifying the processes in the mineral sector to build Atmanirbhar Bharat. For this, necessary reforms have also been made in various laws. Proceedings are underway

under Ease of Doing Business.

Expressing satisfaction over the ongoing activities for auction of blocks in Madhya Pradesh, Union Minister said that the next auction process should be conducted by fixing the time table.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that coal reserves are abundant in State.

Coal mining work in State is being done by the public sector companies of Government of India. Instructions should be given to these companies to work for coal gasification and liquefaction in Madhya Pradesh.

This will help in protecting the environment and enriching the source of energy.

Survey is going on for the discovery of rare minerals in Betul and Chhatarpur districts by the Geological Survey of India.

This work should be completed within the time limit. He also requested to revise the royalty rates of limestone.