Staff Reporter
Guwahati: Revenue collection from various mines and minerals, including crude oil, in Assam has been declining in the past two financial years, after a bumper collection made in 2022-23. The collection of revenue from different mines and minerals is done by the state Directorate of Geology and Mining, which operates under the administrative control of the Mines and Minerals Department.
According to sources at the directorate, the target for collection of revenue in FY 2022-23 was Rs 2500.41 crore. Against this target, Rs 4121.36 crore was collected as revenue, marking an excess of 164.83% in the collection over the target. Elated at the bumper collection, the directorate increased its revenue collection target to Rs 4278.6 crore in FY 2023-24. However, the directorate failed to meet this extended target and marked an even lower revenue collection than the earlier financial year. The revenue collection in 2023-24 was Rs 3792.76 crore, against the target of Rs 4278.6 crore. This marked a deficit in collection, with only 88.64% of the target achieved.
FY 2024-25 marked an even abysmal performance by the directorate. Against the target of Rs 4240.62 crore, the collection was Rs 3215.54 up to January 2025. The deficit in revenue collection came to 75.83%, with two more months to go before the end of FY 2024-25.
The Directorate of Geology & Mining is responsible for the administration of minerals, including exploration and survey of minerals, grant of exploration licences, mining royalty, rent, fees, etc. on various minerals, oil and natural gas produced from the mining lease areas, issuance of dealer's licences for major minerals and other activities.
Assam is renowned for being rich in mineral deposits, and exploration is still being done to determine the extent of some minerals found recently.
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