MP targets Rs 600 crore from mining

Coupled with a vigorous drive to raise revenue from mining by Rs 150 crore from the present Rs 450 crore, the Madhya Pradesh government will seek assistance from international agencies to set up a modern laboratory for stepping up mineral exploration.

"There is no dearth of mineral resources in the state and our government will take assistance of international agencies to restart exploration, which was stopped for last 10 years," Mining Minister LK Sharma said here yesterday.

"Lack of an exploratory laboratory in Madhya Pradesh""the existing one went to Chhattishgarh after the new state was carved out "" has hampered exploratory work," he said.

An plan was afoot for optimum exploitation of the mineral resources, he said. "Efforts are being made to raise the income of the mineral department by Rs 150 crore," he added.

He said since most illegal mining was noticed in pattas (land plots) allotted in forest areas, they would be brought within revenue limits for better control.

Sharma, who also holds the public grievances redressal department, said the government would set time-bound schedule for redressal of complaints and fix responsibilities on officials concerned.

"At present, we do not have the authority to act against officials delaying the matter, but we will seek action against slack bureaucracy," Sharma said.