Odisha to undertake DGPS survey of minor minerals to curb illegal mining

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government will undertake Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) survey in all 314 tehsils in the state and implement Integrated Mines and Mineral Management System (i3MS system) to check illegal mining and transportation of minor minerals as has been done in case of major minerals.

“DGPS survey will be undertaken to identify sources of minor minerals like sand, stone chips, murram etc and after that those will be auctioned. To check illegal mining and transportation of minor minerals, the system of issuing permits will be computerized using i3MS system as has been done in the case of major minerals. Issuing of handwritten permits will be done away with,” informed Steel & Mines Minister Prafulla Mallik today speaking to reporters after a review meeting on mining of minor minerals at the state secretariat here.

While admitting that smuggling of minor minerals was taking place in the state, the Minister said that the state was losing revenue due to illegal mining and transportation of minor minerals.

These measures will be implemented in all tehsils by March next year to augment revenue generation and check illegal mining and transportation of minor minerals, the Minister added.