Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Friday approved amendments to the Odisha Minor Mineral Concession (OMMC) Rules, 2016 to pave the way for the introduction of an e-lottery system for quarry lease allotment in the state.
The move aims at streamlining the supply chain of minor minerals and address prevailing supply–demand gaps, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja told reporters after the Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.
The revamped system will ensure faster allotment, quicker operationalisation of quarries, and reasonable pricing of minor minerals. The e-lottery mechanism is expected to enhance transparency and efficiency in the allocation process, he said.
The amended rules also introduce provisions for allotting minor mineral extracted during execution of public works on private land and IDCO-leased land, allowing project proponents to utilize the materials lawfully. Additionally, the changes strengthen enforcement measures and steps for preventing illegal mining.
An important feature of the amendment is the introduction of a maximum rate capping for minor minerals, intended to regulate market prices and curb exploitation.
With the Cabinet’s approval, the updated OMMC Rules, 2016, will now come into effect.
