OREANDA-NEWS. May 20, 2015. The Union Minister for Steel & Mines Shri Narendra Singh Tomar met Chief Minister of Assam Shri Tarun Gogoi, and discussed issues regarding development of Assam and other North-East areas in the steel & mines sector in Guwahati today. Shri Tomar was accompanied by senior officials from Ministry of Steel and Ministry of Mines.

In his opening remarks, Shri Tomar gave details of the MMDR Act 2015 and explained how it will usher in greater transparency and better ease of doing business, besides providing a mechanism in the form of District Mineral Foundation (DMF), for provision of funds for development of areas affected by mining. He also informed about setting up of National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) for giving due emphasis to exploration. Actions taken for implementation of the Act also came up for discussion during the meeting.

After the meeting, the Union Minister Shri Tomar announced setting up of a stocking facility at Silchar for SAIL products. This facility of Consignment Agent in Silchar shall improve supply of steel to Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and Southern districts of Assam. The Union Minister also offered to take up detailed exploration of minerals in the state for development of industry in this area. It is noteworthy that promising leads of rare earth minerals have been identified in parts of lower Assam.

To give further impetus to Mineral exploration in Assam, the Chief Minister agreed to the formation of a committee under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary, Mines Assam and comprising officials from Geological Survey of India and Government of India. The committee will work to expedite and intensify exploration activities in Assam.

Shri Gogoi expressed gratitude to Shri Tomar for this initiative and highlighted the thrust areas for the state government.

During this visit of North-East, Shri Tomar will also go to Meghalaya tomorrow and will hold a meeting with the state Chief Minister in Shillong.