Gujarat: State govt auctions 25 major mineral blocks and 2280 minor mineral blocks

Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], October 15 (ANI): As part of the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) initiative, the Gujarat state government has introduced an application-based system for the swift granting of leases for minor minerals on private land. To date, the state government has successfully auctioned 25 major mineral blocks, issuing intent letters for 20 of them. Additionally, 2,280 minor mineral blocks have also been successfully auctioned, according to a press release from the Chief Minister's Office.
"Entrepreneurship Day" was celebrated as part of Vikas Saptah at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar on Tuesday. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel presented Letters of Intent (LOI) to eligible leaseholders following the auction of mineral blocks. The Chief Minister highlighted the contributions of entrepreneurs to Gujarat's developmental journey.
On Entrepreneurship Day, LOIs were awarded for the Shepa Limestone and Marl Block and the Varvada Limestone and Marl Block. In the Shepa Limestone and Marl Block, located in Junagadh district, Bharat Quarry Workers were granted a 50-year mining lease.
In Devbhumi Dwarka's Varvada Limestone and Marl Mineral Block, Shri Jessa Ranmal Kandoriya was granted a 50-year LOI. In Sabarkantha's Harsol Block-1, Ashokkumar Amrutbhai Patel was approved for a 50-year term. Furthermore, in Bhuj's Nadapa region, Shri Gokul Kanabhai Dangar received an LOI for a China Clay mineral quarry lease.

Minerals play a vital role in various industries and the state's infrastructure development projects.
To encourage industrialists to actively engage in this growth journey, leases are allocated through transparent and competitive auctions.
Moreover, as part of the EODB initiative, the Minor Mineral Rules were amended on 12/10/2022 to allow application-based lease allocation for up to 4 hectares of private land. This amendment enables private landowners to easily obtain leases. So far, 188 applications have received prior approval for lease allocation. (ANI)