Guwahati, June 29, 2025 — Union Minister for Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, has reaffirmed the Centre’s full commitment to the sustainable development of the mineral and coal sector in India’s North East. Speaking at the 2nd North-East Mining Ministers’ Conclave in Guwahati, the Minister called for a strong Centre-State partnership to unlock the region’s vast resource potential.
Ashta Lakshmi and Viksit Bharat 2047
Shri Reddy emphasized that the eight northeastern states—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim—form the Ashta Lakshmi of India. Their development is key to the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He stressed the need to improve mining infrastructure, speed up project approvals, and boost investment in the region.
States Present Mining Roadmaps
Ministers and officials from the North Eastern states shared detailed plans and progress. Strategies included:
- Revival of coal mines and block auctions
- Exploration of critical minerals
- Use of sustainable and eco-friendly mining models
- Development of minor minerals for local economies
States also sought increased financial and technical support from the Centre to tackle regional challenges and maximize potential.
Call for Modern, Targeted Exploration
Shri Sanjay Lohiya, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Mines, urged faster, technology-driven exploration. He called on GSI, MECL, and state agencies to adopt targeted, time-bound practices, especially for critical minerals. He noted that the Centre has already extended unprecedented policy and budgetary support for this purpose.
New Indian Bureau of Mines Office in Guwahati
On the sidelines of the event, Shri G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated a new regional office of the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) in Guwahati. Assam’s Minister for Mines, Shri Kaushik Rai, and senior government officials were present. The office will provide regulatory oversight and technical support, further enabling mining governance in the North East.
Aligning Regional Resources with National Goals
The two-day conclave created a platform to align regional strategies with India’s broader agenda on energy security, sustainable development, and economic transformation. Officials reaffirmed their shared commitment to balanced growth and environmental protection.
This collaborative approach marks a key step toward realizing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a self-reliant and resource-rich India.
