Governor takes stock of activities of Soil Conservation and Mines and Minerals Department
Guwahati, Rongili Barta- Assam Governor Shri Gulab Chand Kataria asked the Soil Conservation Department to prepare a blueprint for utilizing the 15.41 per cent barren and uncultivated land in the state. While taking a brief of the activities of the department at Raj Bhavan here today, the Governor asked the department to find ways for the productive utilization of the uncultivated land. In the briefing session, where Minister Soil Conservation U.G. Brahma was also present, the Governor said that in the event the department utilize the uncultivated land, the state’s endeavour of becoming self-reliant can be materialized. In the briefing session, the Governor took stock of the activities of the department where Additional Chief Secretary to the Department, Ravi S Prasad, presented a detailed overview of the department. The Additional Chief Secretary apprised the Governor of the different initiatives that the department has undertaken to safeguard and prevent the top fertile soil from erosion. He also outlined the measures that the department has adopted for enhancing soil moisture status and reclaiming cultivable wasteland, including fallow land, waterlogged areas, and land affected by sand deposits due to floods. He also provided a thorough breakdown of the department’s budget, including allocation and utilization. The Governor underscored the potentials of the available soil in the state. He asked the department to take steps to address the challenges faced by the department with regard to soil conservation. The Governor also asked the functionaries of the department for extra efforts in monitoring and utilizing the budget allocated to the department. He also took stock of the status of different projects being implemented by the department and asked the officials to complete all projects within the targeted time frame. In a different meeting with the Mines and Minerals Department, the Governor, alongside Minister Mines and Minerals Jogen Mohan, discussed measures to enhance revenue for the department. The Secretary of the Department, Dr. Lakshmanan S, provided an overview, detailing the department’s background and activities. The focus was on budget allocation and utilization, revenue generation, mineral exploration activities, mineral auction and leasing, and new initiatives aimed at increasing the productivity of the department. While expressing his satisfaction over the performance of both the departments, the Governor said that the departments can contribute significantly to the development of the state. Both the meetings were attended by senior government officers from Soil Conservation Department, Mines and Minerals Department and Raj Bhavan.