‘Mining’ MDs out of RSMML, leave the premier corp in pit!
Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot chaired an important meeting of Secretaries of various departments for the quick and effective implementation of budget announcements. During the meeting, CM expressed worry about the performance of Udaipur’s Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Limited (RSMML). Directions were given to Mining Department officials to take some major steps to better the situation in RSMML.
CM Gehlot’s worry for RSMML is obvious as in reality, RSMML is going through a bad phase. RSMML is one of the premier public sector enterprises of the government of Rajasthan, engaged in the mining and marketing of precious minerals in the state. Among all the Corporations of the State Government, the RSMML, based in Udaipur, is the biggest ‘breadwinner.’ Till a few years back, it was earning a profit of more than Rs 4,00 crore per year but now, it has been limited to half of that amount, about Rs 2,00 crore.
There can be several reasons for this prevailing situation, but a major reason for it is the lackadaisical attitude of DoP and its non-seriousness when it came to the Managing Directors of the RSMML.
There was a time when senior IAS officers were given the reins as MD and several bureaucrats played long innings like Anil Vaish (6 years), PK Deb (5 years), Rajat Mishra (3 years) and Ajitabh Sharma (2 years). But today the situation is completely reversed. During the tenure of the current government, the RSMML has seen no less than eight MDs. In fact, for several months, Director Mines & Divisional Commissioner were given additional charges to make ends meet! As of today, this situation prevails.
Regular MD Karan Singh has gone on training to Mussoorie and Director Mines, Sandesh Nayak, has been given the additional charge. As such Karan Singh didn’t want to handle the responsibility of this post and had appealed to the DoP for his transfer.
As a result of frequent changes at the level of MD and appointing junior and inexperienced IAS as MD, the RSMML has suffered immensely. New works and schemes are not being implemented and shortfalls can be seen in major and important decisions.
According to sources, RSMML’s interests have been kept on the back burner in recent tenders & MoUs with private firms for Limestone mining in Jaisalmer, Rock Phosphate in Udaipur, & Lignite in Nagaur. All this is happening due to weak, temporary, & inexperienced MDs.
