Rajasthan Government Issues Urgent Directive for Mines Revenue Recovery
The Rajasthan government has issued a critical directive to field officers in the mines department, mandating the complete recovery of March revenue targets amounting to Rs 1,550 crore within the next seven days. This urgent order was delivered during a high-level review meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary, Mines and Petroleum, Aparna Arora, emphasizing the need for intensified efforts to meet financial goals.
Key Instructions for Revenue Enhancement
During the meeting, Arora outlined several strategic measures to boost revenue collection. Officials were instructed to:
- Intensify recovery of penalties imposed during actions against illegal mining activities, ensuring strict enforcement.
- Ensure timely auction of royalty collection centres to streamline revenue processes and maximize earnings.
- Collect pending royalty dues promptly, addressing any delays in payments.
- Expedite recovery of old outstanding dues while securing 100% collection of current liabilities to maintain financial health.
Arora emphasized the importance of daily review, analysis, and monitoring of revenue collection at superintendent mining engineer offices. She stated, "Officers should undertake daily review, analysis and monitoring of revenue collection at the superintendent mining engineer offices, while the department headquarters will carry out regular assessments to coordinate with offices where collections are lagging." This approach aims to enhance coordination and efficiency across all levels of the department.
Current Revenue Performance and Growth
The mines department has already demonstrated strong financial performance, having collected over Rs 9,620 crore in revenue until March 23 this year. This represents a significant growth of 12% compared to previous periods. Arora highlighted that this collection is over Rs 1,000 crore more than the revenue generated during the same timeframe last year, showcasing the department's progress in revenue management.
This directive underscores the Rajasthan government's commitment to optimizing revenue from mining operations, a key sector for the state's economy. By focusing on recovery efforts and addressing illegal activities, the department aims to sustain and build upon its current growth trajectory, ensuring robust financial contributions to state resources.
