Odisha decides to go for public auction for leasing mines

The Odisha government on Monday decided to put all new non-coal mines and those pending for second and subsequent renewals to public auction through competitive bidding process. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting presided by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. “This is a historic decision to bring transparency in allocation of natural resources by putting an end to the hitherto monopoly system,” Patnaik said. Describing the decision as a concrete step forward for “progressive economic reforms”, the Chief Minister said the state would gain substantially in revenue generation. “The state can utilise its flagship development schemes like ‘Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana’ for shelter, security and other welfare schemes for poor people,” he said.