25-Apr-2022: CMPDIL to Continue as Subsidiary of Coal India Limited
Recently unconfirmed reports have appeared in a section of the Media that the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL) is being merged with Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL).
In this regard, the Ministry of Coal has clarified that CMPDIL is a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) that provides exploration and consultancy services primarily to the coal sector. Keeping in view the scope for its business expansion in other minerals, the Government has plans for its strengthening, for which it is being considered to merge MECL into CMPDIL.
MECL has domain expertise in non-coal mineral exploration and consultancy. Therefore, such merger and creation of one integrated exploration and consultancy organization with requisite expertise for coal and non-coal sector would result in growth and value addition. At the same time, CMPDIL will continue to be a subsidiary of Coal India Limited.
19-Jul-2021: MECL signs MoU with DMG, Goa
Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) a premier notified mineral exploration agency under the aegis of Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Directorate of Mines & Geology (DMG), Government of Goa, offering integrated mineral exploration and consultancy services today at New Delhi.
With the signing of MoU, MECL will assess mineral resources by conducting an array of geo-scientific exploration and will finalise the mineral blocks to be auctioned and establish the state’s mineral inventory.
The recent amendments to the MMDR Amendment Act 2021, Mineral (Auction) Second Amendment Rules, 2021 and Minerals (Evidence of Mineral Contents) Amendment Rules will further pave the way for states to fast track the auction process of their mineral acreages, thus making role of DMG, Government of Goa pivotal in the process of assessment and allocation of their mineral acreages.
The signatory to the MoU were Dr. Ranjit Rath, CMD, MECL and Shri Vivek H. P, Director, DMG, Goa in the august presence of Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Parimal Rai, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Goa, Shri Satendra Singh, Joint Secretary to Govt. of India, Ministry of Mines and other senior officials of Govt. of India and Govt. of Goa.
The State of Goa has been bestowed with large deposits of Iron Ore (1,456 Million Tonnes) as well as significant occurrence of other major minerals like Bauxite (55 Million Tonnes) and Manganese Ore (34 Million Tonnes). Iron Ore mining in the state hugely contributes to the regional income and employment in the state. Goa also has an intrinsic logistic environment for export of minerals due to availability of ports near the mining site.
22-Jan-2021: Tripartite agreement signed between MECL, RSMML and DMG for harnessing Potash in Rajasthan
A tripartite agreement was signed between Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL), Rajasthan State Mines & Minerals Limited (RSMML) and the Department of Mines & Geology (DMG), Govt. of Rajasthan for taking up feasibility studies of Solution Mining of Potash in the state of Rajasthan.
The MoU was signed virtually in the presence of Union Minister for Coal, Mines & Parliamentary Affairs Shri Prahlad Joshi, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal and Chief Minister of Rajasthan Shri Ashok Gehlot.
Shri Prahlad Joshi said “MoU will pave the way to undertake feasibility studies for harnessing sub-surface salt deposits through solution mining, utilise Rajasthan’s rich mineral reserves, boost its economy and establish it as a hub of solution mining of potash, the 1st in the country”.
Rajasthan has huge Potash and Halite resources spread across 50,000 sq. kms in the Nagaur – Ganganagar basin in the northwest. GSI and MECL have established 2476.58 million tonnes and 21199.38 million tonnes of Potash & Halite respectively. Bedded Salt formations are strategically useful for underground oil storage, repositories for hydrogen, ammonia and helium gas, storage of compresses gas and nuclear waste. Potash & Sodium Chloride from the Bedded Salt are extensively used in the Fertiliser Industry and the Chemical Industry respectively.
MECL has been assigned as the program manager for taking up the feasibility study in the state with the help of an international consultant. Paving the way for the 1st Solution Mining project in the country, this project will generate employment as well as support the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan by way of generating import substitution by boosting the domestic mineral production of Potash and associated minerals.
25-Apr-2022: HUDCO Celebrates its 52nd Formation Day
The Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs & Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Hardeep S. Puri today said that HUDCO’s mission to provide technical and financial support for housing and urban infrastructure, especially for the poor and the vulnerable sections of the society, is the noble objective and is an aligned core development requirement of the country. He was addressing the gathering at the 52nd Formation Day of Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd. (HUDCO), here today.
The Minister said that on this day in 1970, the establishment of HUDCO signified the foundation of a formal housing finance system in India. The urban landscape took a fundamental shift in 2014 with the Prime Minister’s clarion call, ‘Har Haath Ko Kaam, Har Gareeb Ko Makan’ and the guiding philosophy of ‘Sab Ka Saath Sab Ka Vikas, Sab Ka Vishwaas, Sab Ka Prayas’.
Shri Puri said that land is a state subject, but since we live in a cooperative federal structure, it is possible for the Centre to conceptualise a scheme which will involve Centre giving some incentives and the States implementing the same along with the Centre. He further said that a target of one crore has been set for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) announced in June 2015 which has already been achieved. HUDCO’s role was commendable in completing the Prime Minister’s dream of every Indian having a pucca house with a proper gas connection, toilet and the title of the house in the name of the lady of the house, he added. Shri Puri said that with the change in the ambience, HUDCO should adopt innovative means to deal with the competition, and get into infrastructure financing.
The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Kaushal Kishore said that HUDCO has been instrumental in providing shelter to 1.90 crore urban as well as rural poor to get houses. He further said that HUDCO’s role was commendable in providing housing for the vulnerable sections of the society and it has performed well in this sector. HUDCO provides financial assistance to the Governmental agencies in the field of infrastructure development of States. With this, HUDCO is helping the poor getting benefitted as well as generating employment opportunities also, he added.
Saying urbanisation is fast growing in our country and it may reach nearly 35% by 2030, the MoS said that it is our responsibility to provide shelter to the growing public through PMAY Urban and Rural and fulfil the vision the Prime Minister. HUDCO’s role is important in fulfilling that vision, he added.
HUDCO has traversed a long journey during these 52 years with a Pan-India network of 21 regional offices and 11 development offices, to emerge as a unique player and market leader in techno-financing of housing and core urban infrastructure projects in our country with the motto of ‘Profitability with Social Justice’.
Cumulatively, at end of March 2022, HUDCO has sanctioned a total of 17,326 housing and urban infrastructure projects with a total loan component of Rs. 2,31,465 crore and disbursement of Rs. 1,93,574 crores (including HUDCO Niwas) to various housing and urban development agencies, facilitating construction of nearly 19.70 million housing units, 6.70 million sanitation units, and over 0.65 million residential plots in different parts of the country, in addition to core urban infrastructure facilities, which were otherwise not catered to by the private sector such as water supply, sanitation and sewerage, solid waste management. The social orientation of HUDCO is reflected in the fact that out of the total housing units sanctioned, over 92 per cent of these dwelling units have benefited the economically weaker sections and low-income groups of the society. This is the single largest contribution of any institution across the world.
In addition to its own business operations, HUDCO has also been playing a catalytic role in formulation and implementation of the various National Housing and Habitat Policies and has become a powerful vehicle for carrying out the mandate of the Government of India flagship programmes and Missions across the length and breadth of the country.
HUDCO is celebrating 52 years of dedicated service to the nation, championing the cause of sustainable housing and urban development in India. Despite two waves of the Covid19 pandemic, HUDCO is committed to its goal of providing housing and infrastructure with a focus on the EWS & LIG categories and has demonstrated yet another financial year of excellent performance in FY 2021-22 despite economic slowdowns and other adversities such as: a total loan sanction of Rs. 20,663 crores, with is almost 2.25 times of previous year’ sanction of Rs. 9,202 crores; a total disbursement of Rs. 8,887 crores, surpassing the previous year release of Rs. 8323 crores; and sanction of 88,523 dwelling (almost all for EWS/LIG category), which is 7 times more than that of previous year’s sanction of 12,488 dwelling units previous year. As part of capacity building, HUDCO’s HSMI has conducted 21 Online training programs during the year, imparting training to 1450 professionals.
The Minister felicitated HUDCO’s partners, the best-performing agencies, officials, and regional offices of HUDCO for their performances and helping in achieving the operational targets.
The Secretary, MoHUA, Shri Manoj Joshi, the Additional Secretary, MoHUA and CMD, HUDCO, Shri Kamran Rizvi, and other senior officials from MoHUA and HUDCO were present on the occasion.
Shri Puri also released HUDCO publications, namely, HUDCO Design Awards – 2022, HUDCO Darpan, SHELTER, and several other magazines to promote the official language on this occasion.
4-Apr-2022: NSTFDC extends concessional loans to Scheduled Tribe persons for undertaking income generation activities
The National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), a PSU under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, extends concessional loans to the eligible Scheduled Tribe persons for undertaking income generation activities / self-employment as per the schematic norms. The schemes of NSTFDC are implemented across the country. The prominent schemes of NSTFDC are given as under:
Term Loan Scheme: NSTFDC provides Term Loan for viable projects costing upto ₹50.00 lakh per unit. Under the scheme, financial assistance is extended upto 90% of the cost of the project and the balance is met by way of subsidy/ promoter contribution/ margin money.
Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY): This is an exclusive scheme for economic development of Scheduled Tribes Women. Under the scheme, NSTFDC, provides loan upto 90% for projects costing upto ₹2.00 lakh. Financial assistance under the scheme is extended at highly concessional rate of interest of 4% per annum.
Micro Credit Scheme for Self Help Groups (MCF): This is an exclusive scheme for Self Help Groups for meeting small loan requirement of ST member. Under the scheme, the Corporation provides loans upto ₹50,000/- per member and maximum ₹5 Lakh per Self Help Group (SHG).
Adivasi Shiksha Rrinn Yojana (Education Loan Scheme): This is an Education loan scheme to enable the ST students to meet expenditure for pursuing technical and professional education including Ph.D. in India. Under this scheme, the Corporation provides financial assistance upto ₹10.00 lakh per eligible family at concessional rate of interest of 6% per annum. The students eligible for interest subsidy from Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India, during the moratorium period i.e. course period plus one year after completion of course or six months after getting the job, whichever is earlier.
Margin Money Support Scheme for ST Entrepreneurs: In order to finance projects under the Stand-Up India Scheme of Government of India, a separate scheme titled “Margin Money Support Scheme for ST Entrepreneurs” has been formulated in December 2020. Under this scheme, the eligible ST Entrepreneurs are allowed to avail financial assistance of NSTFDC to the extent of 15% of the total project cost under Stand-Up India Scheme.
NSTFDC extend its loan through the implementing agencies. No instance has come to the notice of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs where NSTFDC has rejected any proposal of the implementing agencies fulfilling the loan disbursement criteria of NSTFDC.
NSTFDC, from time to time, in association with its implementing agencies conduct Awareness Programmes for dissemination of information about NSTFDC and its schemes.
NSTFDC notionally allocates target of disbursement of funds to the States/ UTs in proportion to ST population against the fund availability. During last three financial years, NSTFDC disbursed funds exceeding the notional allocation made for the respective years, which indicates effectiveness of Awareness Programmes in generation of loan applications.