With the help of five officers, work is being done in the Mines and Geology Department

Pankaj Prasad
Mines and Geology Department
Mines and Geology Department

There is a shortage of about 89.36 percent officers in the headquarters of the Mines and Geology Department.

Mines and Geology Department, one of the departments providing better revenue to the state government, is facing a severe shortage of officers these days. These days only five officers are looking after the work of the headquarters. At the same time, there is a shortage of 42 officers. In such a situation, there is a shortage of about 89.36 percent of officers in the headquarters of the department. Apart from this, there are no District Mining Officers in about four districts. Because of this, the work there is being looked after by the officers of the post of Deputy Collector.

Two out of four posts of Section Officer are vacant

According to sources, at present, two-section officers including one officer each at the level of Principal Secretary, Director (Additional Charge) and Joint Secretary are working in the department. At the same time, there are 15 posts of Assistant Director and all the posts are vacant. There are 11 posts of Deputy Director and all are vacant. There are two posts of Additional Director and both are vacant. There are seven posts of Mineral Development Officer to be filled by promotion and all are vacant. Apart from this, there is one post of Additional Secretary and it is vacant. There are two posts of Deputy Secretary and both are vacant. There are two posts of Under Secretary and both are vacant. Two out of four posts of Section Officer are vacant.

Posts of District Mining Officers vacant in four districts

Apart from this, at present, the posts of District Mining Officers are vacant in four out of 38 districts. There the Deputy Collector is in charge instead of the officer of the department and is looking after the departmental work. Earlier, 19 candidates were reinstated for the post of District Mining Officer, but only 16 of them joined. Experts say that when the officers of the department are directly appointed, they have a special responsibility toward the department. Also, they all remain under the command and control of the department.

government gets revenue

According to sources, the Mines and Geology Department is continuously increasing the revenue collection since the financial year 2007-08. In the financial year 2019-20, Rs 1616.26 crore was recovered against the target of Rs 1600.00 crore set by the Finance Department. In 2020-21 and 2021-22 also there was 100% recovery of revenue target.

15 posts are of Assistant Director and all are vacant

11 posts are of deputy director and all are vacant

Two posts are of Additional Director and both are vacant.