Bhubaneswar | Jan 06, 2015: Orissa on Monday announced that it would allocate all mines, except coal through the public auction route. The State Cabinet which met on Monday evening and decided that all major minerals would be auctioned to the highest bidder. All mines awaiting second and subsequent renewal of their leases will also be allocated through the public auction route.
However, the decision will not be applicable to mines awaiting first renewal and those leased out to Orissa Mining Corporation and other public sector companies.
The auction would not be applicable to those leases that have already been issued grant orders and are awaiting execution of lease deed by the State government after approval by Centre or those mining leases that are awaiting the approval of thefirst renewal.
All other leases of major minerals awaiting second or subsequent renewals will be put up for public auction along with virgin areas.
Separate auctions will be held for captive and non-captive mines. Mining department officials said the State government expects to earn more than Rs 10,000 crore as revenue per annum through auction.
(Source: http://indianexpress.com/)