Dehradun: Uttarakhand has secured a leading position in the ‘C’ category in the State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI) released on Thursday by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India. This achievement is a result of the state government’s continuous efforts towards transparency, efficiency, sustainable development, and technological advancement in the mining sector.
This index, prepared in accordance with the announcement made in the Union Budget 2025–26, evaluates various states across the country based on several parameters such as mining reforms, policy transparency, environmental balance, mineral exploration potential, and administrative efficiency.
In this index, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan have been ranked in the ‘A’ category, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam in the ‘B’ category, and Uttarakhand, along with Punjab and Tripura, has been ranked in the ‘C’ category.
According to the Ministry of Mines, this index will encourage benchmarking and positive competition in the mining sector across states, further accelerating the pace of mining reforms and implementing environmentally friendly policies across the country.
Significant Improvements in Uttarakhand’s Mining Sector
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the state government has taken several significant steps to ensure transparency and accountability in the mining sector. The e-auction system has been further strengthened, bringing transparency to the allocation of mining leases. Digitizing mining-related processes has streamlined the process for the public and entrepreneurs. A satellite-based monitoring system has been implemented to control illegal mining. Strict enforcement of the e-Ravanna system for mineral transportation has effectively curbed revenue loss. Concrete steps have been taken to adopt sustainable mining practices in environmentally sensitive areas.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that this achievement is a result of the Uttarakhand government’s strong governance model, transparent policies, and people-centric approach. He stated that the state government’s goal is to advance the mining sector towards sustainable development by establishing a balance between development and environmental balance.
The Chief Minister said, “Our government has eliminated corruption and opacity in the mining sector and developed a responsible and modern system. Our priority is not exploitation of the state’s natural resources, but their sensitive management.”
Congratulating the officials and employees of the Mining Department, he said that this achievement is the result of the collective efforts of Team Uttarakhand.
The Chief Minister stated that the Mining Department, in particular, has performed exceptionally well in increasing the state’s revenue. He stated that the unprecedented increase of ₹800 crore in the state’s mining revenue is clear evidence of the government’s new mining policy being implemented effectively, transparently, and effectively.
The Chief Minister noted that representatives and officials from states like Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir are also visiting Uttarakhand to study the model implemented in the mining sector and are attempting to implement the policies and systems implemented in their respective states.
The Mining Department stated that concrete action plans are being implemented to ensure proper regulation, continuous monitoring, and protection of local public interests in the mining sector in the state. In the future, the balance between scientific exploitation of mineral resources and environmental protection will be further strengthened. The Uttarakhand government aims to establish itself as a model state in the country for transparent processes, innovation, and environmental protection in the mining sector in the coming years.
