By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, October 25, 2015 : The Odisha government has begun the process for auction of a dozen mines in the state.

“The state government has apprised the Rajya Sabha Legislature Committee for auction of 12 mines in the state,” revealed Deepak Mohanty, director Mines speaking to reporters here on Sunday.

Allotment of mines through the auction route has been made mandatory after the amended MMDR Act has come into force. The MMDR Act was amended to introduce transparency in a sector that has been marked by shady ‘allotments’ in the past.

The committee headed by the development commissioner has identified and proposed for auction of 12 mines in the state for the present.

The state government has already appointed SBI Capital Markets Ltd (SBICAPS) as the transaction advisor or e-auction provider for this purpose.

Earlier, this month the state government had proposed the Centre at the executive body meeting of the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMELT) held in New Delhi to conduct survey for mineral exploration in 16 areas of the state comprising six freehold and 10 lease-lapse areas.

The state government has requested Central enterprise Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) to do the exploration.