Uttarakhand ranks second in the country in mining reforms; the central government has given the state ₹200 crore, but the opposition has raised questions
Uttarakhand has secured the second position in the country for its outstanding performance in mining reforms. Due to its remarkable performance in the mining sector, the central government has gifted the Uttarakhand government a special incentive of ₹200 crore. As a result, the state’s revenue from the mining sector has increased from ₹300 crore to ₹1200 crore. However, the main opposition party, the Congress, is questioning the criteria on which this award was given to the state.
Centre gives Uttarakhand ₹200 crore for mining reforms
The Ministry of Finance of the Government of India has sanctioned a special incentive of ₹200 crore to the state of Uttarakhand as a reward for its reforms in the mining sector. This amount has been given for completing reforms related to minor minerals and the State Mining Readiness Index. Uttarakhand has secured the second position in the country for its excellent performance in mining reforms.
CM Dhami expresses gratitude to the central government
CM Dhami expressed his gratitude to the central government, saying that this support will give new impetus to transparency, technological improvements, and sustainable development in Uttarakhand’s mining sector. The CM said that the process of allocating mining lots in the state has been made transparent. As a result of these mining reforms, there has been a record increase in mining revenue. The state’s mining revenue has reached ₹1200 crore.
Congress raises questions
Meanwhile, the Congress has expressed surprise at the state being rewarded for mining reforms. State Congress Vice President Surendra Agarwal said that he wants to know on what criteria the state was given this award. He pointed out that illegal mining is rampant, damaging the state’s rivers, a fact even acknowledged by former BJP chief ministers and several MLAs.
Along with the Congress, BJP’s Haridwar MP and former CM Trivendra Singh Rawat and Vikasnagar MLA Munna Singh Chauhan have also raised the issue of illegal mining, putting the state government in an uncomfortable position. In this context, the award given to Uttarakhand for reforms in the mining sector is being seen as a strong response to the CM’s opponents. Meanwhile, a surprised opposition is now raising questions about the criteria on which the state was given this award, which the BJP is using to pat itself on the back.
