Chandigarh, November 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Mines and Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal raised the state’s concerns over the revised eligibility criteria under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) 2026-27 framework at the Conference of Mining Ministers on Reforms in the Mines and Coal Sector, held in Goa on November 5-6.
The conference was chaired by Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy, who assured full cooperation in addressing Punjab’s concerns and agreed to examine the state’s representation regarding the SASCI framework.
Goyal said Punjab had secured the first position among Category-C states under the State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI) for FY 2025-26, earning a financial incentive of Rs 200 crore for its mining reforms. However, he said the revised SASCI 2026-27 criteria largely prioritised auctions and operationalisation of major mineral mines.
Pointing out that Punjab’s mining sector primarily depends on minor minerals such as sand, gravel and earth, Goyal said the state had no operational major mineral sites. He urged the Centre to restore equal weightage for minor mineral reforms or introduce alternative eligibility criteria to ensure that states like Punjab receive equitable reform-linked financial assistance.
The minister also sought early sanctions from the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) for potash exploration blocks, including those planned for 2027-28 at Patrewala, Khippanwali, Khuranj and Badian. He called for upgrading geological exploration from G-3 to G-1 in Rajpura, Gidranwali and Shergarh to make the resources more attractive to investors.
Goyal said Punjab’s 46-square-kilometre Shergarh block had failed to attract bidders in recent auctions. He urged the Union Ministry to encourage companies exploring the adjoining Nagaur-Ganganagar basin in Rajasthan to participate in bidding for the block. He also highlighted potash exploration in Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib and hydrocarbon exploration under Mission Anveshan.
The minister said Punjab had established a State Level Coordination Committee under the Chief Secretary and a Joint Working Group to address land-clearance issues and prevent delays in exploration activities.
Highlighting the state’s mining reforms, Goyal said annual mining revenue had increased nearly sevenfold, from Rs 123.5 crore in FY 2017-18 to Rs 799 crore in FY 2025-26, through technology-driven governance and transparency measures.
He said a Centre of Excellence had been established at IIT Ropar under an MoU signed in March 2025 to strengthen scientific mining management. DGPS, drone mapping and bathymetric surveys for river replenishment studies had identified 268 potential mining sites, while 13 District Survey Reports had been prepared and approved by SEIAA.
Goyal added that the Punjab Mining Management System (PMMS) portal integrated 447 verified crushers with smart power meters and platforms including VAHAN, FASTag, Treasury and Pollution Control Board networks.
He said environmental clearance processing time had been reduced from more than a year to less than six months. The number of clearances granted increased from 15 in FY 2025-26 to 47 in FY 2026-27 so far.
On the sidelines of the conference, Goyal also met senior Union Ministry of Mines officials, including Additional Secretary Dr Veena Kumari Dermal, Director General of Mines Dinesh Ganvir and Director (Technical) Yogendra Singh Bhamboo. The meeting covered various state-specific mining issues, with a follow-up meeting scheduled to be held in Chandigarh.
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