Bhubaneswar, Jan 8: The Minister of Steel and Mines, Narendra Singh Tomar, inaugurated the office building of Indian Bureau of Mines Bhubaneswar Regional Office on Jan 7.
Tomar dedicated the IBM office building to the nation by lighting the traditional lamp and unveiling stone plaque. R.K. Sinha, CG, IBM welcomed the dignitaries who graced the occasion.
While inaugurating Tomar said that the expectations of the people of Odisha will be well met by IBM now that they have their own permanent establishment at Bhubaneswar. He said, Odisha is identified by its mineral wealth. The IBM must act to curb any illegal activity.
He further said that CSR is only a small portion of upliftment work while the District Mineral Foundation brought out in the amended MMDR Act, is the key plan for upliftment in the local areas. An estimated Rs.6000 Crores will come into the DMF and the Foundation formed at every District collector level will look into the developmental requirements, proving that the DMF revolutionary step. A great amount of research is still required in the field of mining Tomar elaborated that IBM is doing a lot of research in mining and is publishing many papers and bulletins as an outcome of their activities. IBM ensures that the business of mining be carried out within the legal framework.
Tomar presented trophies to the Regional Controllers of Mines of Bhubaneswar and Hyderabad for their outstanding contribution towards creating awareness for the online return submission by the mine operators and mineral traders.
Among other dignitaries, Minister of Tribal Affairs, Jual Oram, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Kumar Mallik, MP, Prasanna Patasani; Union Mines Secretary, Balvinder Kumar; the Controller General of Indian Bureau of Mines, Ranjan Kumar Sihna addressed the gathering.
Speaking on the occasion, Dharmendra Pradhan, said that the revenue of the state of Odisha is mainly derived from the mining activities. Therefore without a good mining department, there is no revenue regulation into the state of Odisha.
Union Minister Jual Oram appreciated the mineral museum which is one of its kind set up at Bhubaneswar IBM. He Said, the District Mineral Foundation formed by the present government is a great step towards upliftment of the poor and down trodden in their natives. The DMF facilitates the funds raised for the benefit of the poor and affected person within the respective districts which is a commendable step.
Balvinder Kumar, I.A.S., Union Mines Secretary highlighted the importance of Sustainable Development Framework rolled out at Sukinda Chromite mine of Tata Steel at Sukinda valley of Odisha state.
