BHUBANESWAR: Geoscientists of the State have strongly resented the delay in restructuring their cadre even after approval by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.With no changes in the four-decade-old structure of Odisha Mining and Geology Service, there has been stagnation in the base level posts of the service. On an average, geologist, geophysicist and petrologist working with the Directorate of Geology get the first promotion after 25 years of service, said general secretary of Geological Service Association Subhransu Mishra. National Mineral Policy, 2008 and Odisha Mineral Exploration Policy, 2015 envisage strengthening manpower of State Directorate of Geology.
Work load of the directorate has increased manifold after the amendment of MMDR Act leading to auction of mineral blocks.There is an urgent necessity of upgrading the exploration status of mineral blocks to G1/G2 levels before tendering for auction. Inclusion of 31 new minerals in the minor minerals list has added to the workload of directorate, Mishra said.
Realising the necessity of an urgent make over of the cadre of the Geologists, the Chief Minister approved a proposal of the Steel and Mines Department to restructure the Odisha Mining and Geology Service in the first week of January this year. However, the department is sitting over the matter for the last nine months, he rued.