Kishan Reddy vows full central backing for sustainable mineral & coal growth in North‑East
Guwahati, June 28 (UNI) Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy, on Saturday reaffirmed the Centre's 'unwavering support' for accelerating mineral and coal development across India's eight North‑Eastern states.
Speaking on the second day on the second North‑East Mining Ministers' Conclave here, Reddy said robust mining infrastructure, quicker project clearances and eco‑friendly practices are crucial to realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision.
'Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim are our Ashta Lakshmi,' the minister told delegates, stressing that stronger Centre–state coordination would create jobs, draw investment and spur inclusive growth.
Ministers and senior officials from all eight states presented detailed roadmaps covering block auctions, the hunt for critical minerals, efforts to revive coal mines, and moves to develop minor minerals with an eye on environmental safeguards.
Several representatives pressed for greater financial and technical assistance from New Delhi to overcome logistical hurdles in the resource‑rich but infrastructure‑poor region.
Additional Secretary (Mines) Sanjay Lohiya used the platform to urge the Geological Survey of India, Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited and state agencies to 'dramatically scale up' modern, time‑bound exploration—particularly for strategic minerals vital to energy security and high‑tech manufacturing.
'The policy and budgetary push is already in place; it must now translate into action on the ground,' he declared.
On the conclave's sidelines, Reddy inaugurated a new Indian Bureau of Mines regional office in Guwahati alongside Assam Mines Minister Kaushik Rai and Mines Secretary V L Kantha Rao.
The facility, officials said, will bolster regulatory oversight and provide technical support to budding mining projects across the North‑East.
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