The draft mineral development plan for 2020, now under consideration of the Orissa government, mulls strengthening of the Directorate of Mines (DoM) and the state owned Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC).
The strengthening is suggested in terms of manpower and logistics to oversee various functions assigned to them, sources said.
The activities in DoM which will get focused attention include development and administration of minerals, prevention of illegal mining, smuggling and transportation, environment management, infrastructure development and upgradation of mineral intelligence infrastructure among others. A special cell is proposed to be created in the DoM to look after mineral information, intelligence, updating the status of the mineral concession, working of mines, production and export of minerals.
Since, the co-ordination between various organisations and institutions involved and associated with the mineral development activities in the state are not up to the mark, the vision plan pitches for reviving the defunct Mineral Development Board (MDB).
With a view to provide better promotion avenue to the officers joining as mining officers in the DoM, the Orissa Mining and Geology Service Rules, 1976 which is 33 years old, needs immediate revision and updating.
Similarly, in line with the states like Rajasthan, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, the steel and mines department should publish the annual administration report (AAR).Besides, the process of framing of a State Mineral Policy which was started one year back needs to be completed at the earliest, sources added.
Further, to streamline the functioning of OMC, the vision plan has suggested restructuring of the corporation with the appointment of a full time chairman cum managing director (CMD), instead of part-time chairman. A post of director (technical) may also be created who will be the number 2 person in the organisation.
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In the present system, the mining and geology wings of OMC are headed by AGMs. It is suggested these wings should be headed by General Managers (GMs) and preferably Executive Directors who should report directly to the director (technical). Periodic cadre review has been suggested for the employees of the corporation.
The personal administration at the Corporation needs to be headed by an officer well conversant in Human Resources Development (HRD). Since OMC mines are being worked through raising contract which is not healthy, the corporation should develop expertise to run the mines departmentally.
To improve the environment management record, which is not satisfactory, OMC should set up a full fledged Environment Management Cell under the charge of a GM(geology). It should have close interaction with the Forest Research Institute (Dehra Dun), Plant Resources Centre (PRC) and Soil Conservation Directorate for setting up of an effective Environment Management and Monitoring Cell.
While induction of management trainee is desirable at the entry level, technical personnel should be encouraged to go for advanced training. As a measure to promote education and research in the fields of geo-science, mining, minerals beneficiation, marketing and social welfare, environment management, the plan suggests creation of a special fund by OMC.