Minister K. Taraka Rama Rao on Saturday stated that the Department of Mines has achieved the highest revenue of Rs.2,774 crore among the southern States during 2015-16 by plugging leakages and pilferages.
Speaking after releasing the annual reports of Mines and Industries Departments, he said the growth of revenue in the Mines Department during 2015-16 was 41 p.c. compared to Rs.1,968 crore during 2014-15. Terming the achievement a significant traction in the annals of the department, the Minister said the department had set an ambitious target of Rs.4,000 crore revenue for the current fiscal.
He explained that they were planning to achieve the target by using technology extensively including electronic payment of royalty and seigniorage, online issuance of transit permits and passes and by improving regulatory mechanism with the help of geo-mapping and geo-fencing of mines. Stating that they were adopting several environment and eco-friendly measures, Mr. Rama Rao noted that efforts were on to fill quarries after completion of mining and taking up plantation. The minister claimed that supply of sand through online booking for individuals had brought down the prices considerably from Rs.2,200 to Rs.2,400 per tonne to Rs.1,100 to Rs.1,200 per tonne. The sand stockyards of the department had e-surveillance to reduce misuse and irregularities. Further, he stated that to reduce impact of sand mining on rivers the government was encouraging use of rock-sand in the construction activity. Stating that the government would unveil its electronic hardware manufacturing policy soon, the minister said country desks would be set up in countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and others for attracting investments in the sector. He announced that the government would also customise best offers for mega investors, if they come up with investment plans in Telangana. Principal Secretary Industries Arvind Kumar, Commissioner of Industries K. Manicka Raj, Managing Director of Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation Illambarthi, Director of Mines B.R.V. Susheel Kumar and others were present.
