Ministry raps GSI for project delay

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 17

The Central Government has taken the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to task for planning lapses and poor achievements in its projects as well as for non-initiation of many exploration surveys.

In a memorandum sent recently to the GSI’s Director General as well as the regional heads, K Rajeswara Rao, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Mines, has stated that following a review of GSI activities in the current field season, it is surprising to note that in many of the programmes the progress work is “not satisfactory and highly disappointing.”

Dating back to 1851, the GSI is one of the oldest such organisations in the world and the second oldest survey establishment in India which is the prime provider of basic earth science information and mineral reserve assessment to the government, industry and general public. The organisation, however, has been without a permanent full-time director general since June 2018.

According to the memorandum, over 1.02 lakh metres of outsourced drilling across the country is yet to be initiated. Further, 27 detailed mapping items and 73 drilling items are yet to commence.

Advising the organisation to make a serious effort and furnish reasons for delays in execution of detailed mapping and exploratory drilling, the Central Government has directed the authorities concerned to take urgent action on the aforementioned issues.