RAIPUR | Oct 20, 2016: For the first time, Chhattisgarh government has successfully conducted an e-auction for granting mining lease of 14 minor minerals as a part of the efforts to bring greater transparency in allocation of non-coal mines in the state.

Official sources said minor minerals mining areas of Raipur, Bilaspur, and Rajnandgaon and Balodabazar districts were e-auctioned to ensure that the process of granting mineral concessions for minor minerals is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory.

With more than 50 bidders participated in the e-auction, the process was completed within a short span of one month which earlier used to take more than a year

Aiming to stop illegal mining, centre had earlier directed the states to ensure fair and transparent auction of mines including minor minerals like quartzite, gypsum, mica, quartz and sand. Centre had also asked the states to review the mechanism of granting mining leases for minor minerals and take steps to ensure compliance of the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)