BHUBANESWAR: Even though revenue from mining sector increased during 2015-16 compared to last year, it remains far behind the target set for the year.
As Odisha’s economy is passing through a tough time because of revenue cuts by the Centre, less than expected revenue generated from the mining sector has put the State in a difficult situation. However, with a collection of Rs 3647 crore till December 22, 2015, the mining sector is on a recovery path.
The State Government had set a target of Rs 6000 crore from the sector during 2015-16. With only four months left of this financial year, doubts have cropped up whether the target can be reached.
Generation of revenue from the mining sector was Rs 2900 crore in the corresponding period during the last financial year. Chief Secretary AP Padhi, who reviewed the activities of Steel and Mines Department, on Monday asked the officials to scale up mineral production in coming months through close monitoring and appropriate action plan.
Padhi directed the Department to prepare more iron ore and bauxite mines to be auctioned in 2016.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the use of i3MS, a software developed in the State, for tracking mineral production and despatch. Principal Secretary in Steel and Mines Department RK Sharma said the software has proved very useful in monitoring production, despatch and transportation of minerals in the State. He said the Centre has recommended the model to be followed in other States.
The software tracks end-to-end mineral transaction including the quantum of minerals produced, transported and received by different industries, Director of Mines Deepak Mohanty told mediapersons. Daily production and despatch is recorded on real time basis through the web-based software, Mohanty said and added that all mineral transporting trucks have been put under GPS surveillance and the roads as well as mines have been geo-referenced.
Till now, 392 electronic weigh bridges in 136 mines and 699 weigh bridges in 325 industries have been approved online through this portal. Similarly, 2,71,347 e-permits and 6312 dealer licences have been also granted through it, Mohanty said and added that around 2.4 crore trip sheets (transit pass for trucks) have been generated online through this system.