Question : Mining of Potash

(a) whether potash mineral reserves have been found during survey in Nagaur and Bikaner districts of Rajasthan;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the names of the places where the said reserves have been found, district-wise;
(c) whether the Government proposes to formulate and implement any policy for rehabilitation and development of villages/ areas likely to be affected from mining of potash before such mining and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the total amount likely to be spent for the development of concerned districts out of the revenue received from the said mining of potash; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to formulate a policy in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF MINES, COAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)


(a) to (e) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.


STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) of LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.238 FOR ANSWER ON 04.12.2019 ASKED BY SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL REGARDING MINING OF POTASH.


(a) & (b): Potash mineral resources have been found during surveys conducted by Geological Survey of India [GSI], an attached office of Ministry of Mines in Nagaur and Bikaner Districts of Rajasthan. GSI has proved resources of 2476.58 million tonnes of Potash in Nagaur-Ganganagar Basin. The Basin covers part of Nagaur, Churu, Bikaner, Hamunangarh and Shri Ganganagar Districts of Rajasthan.
Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited, a Mini-Ratna Public Sector Undertaking under Ministry of Mines, has also established a resource of 2.43 million tonnes of Potash in Jaitpur Block of Bikaner District, Rajasthan.
(c) to (e): District Mineral Foundation [DMF] have been set up in Nagaur and Bikaner Districts by the State Government to ameliorate the condition of persons and areas affected by mining related operations.
The Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana formulated by the Ministry of Mines provides, inter-alia, that State Governments have incorporated provisions for implementation of various development and welfare projects in mining affected areas under the DMF.

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