Lok Sabha Question No. 1662 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Geosciences
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Sukanta Majumdar, Vinod Kumar Sonkar, Bhola Singh, Raja Amareshwara Naik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1662

## ANSWERED ON 08.12.2021

## GEOSCIENCES

1662.  DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR: SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR: SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to provide an umbrella framework for co-operation from international organizations in the field of Geosciences;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  planned  for  Joint  development  of  the  Indian Geosciences Data repository with the Russian state-of-the-art Information Technology;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

- (e)  whether  the  Government  has  signed  Memorandum  of  Understanding  on cooperation in the field of Geosciences  between  the Joint  Stock  Company Rosgeologia (ROSGEO) and the Geological Survey of India (GSI); and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and the other steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINES, COAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. Geological Survey of India [GSI], an attached office of Ministry of Mines,  is  regularly  exploring  opportunity  to  formulate  umbrella  framework  for  cooperation  with  international  organizations  through  interaction  in  several  global platforms like business meets, international workshop/ conference/seminar etc. Apart from these, GSI is also engaged to develop fruitful bilateral technological/scientific collaboration with other foreign advanced organisations by mutual virtual discussion as per the need of GSI.

Presently, several bilateral cooperation and collaborative programs exist  with other countries on various geoscientific disciplines for mutual benefits. Activities are taken up  as  per  the  existing  Memorandum  of  Understandings  (MoUs)  with  Geoscience Australia (GA), British Geological Survey (BGS), Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB), Geological Survey of Brazil- CPRM and Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), Finland.  The  MoU  with  Florida  International  University  (FIU)  and  Collaboration Agreement  with  FIU  and  University  of  Florida  (UF);  Russian  State  Geological Holding (ROSGEO), have been recently signed for various geo-scientific studies.

(c)  to  (f):  During  the  Bilateral  Meeting  held  on  26.02.2020  at  New  Delhi  between Russian State Geological Holding (ROSGEO) and Ministry of Mines, the matter on joint development of Indian Geosciences Data Repository with the Russian state-of- the-art Information Technology was discussed and the Russian team informed about their expertise and experience in developing data repository.

A MoU on cooperation in the field of Geosciences between ROSGEO and GSI has been signed on 01/12/2021 virtually. This MoU aims to provide a platform to promote cooperation  in  exploration  of  deep-seated  and  /  or  concealed  mineral  deposit  at depth  greater  than  400  m  with  special  emphasis  in  Deccan  trap  area  and  subsoil surface  area;  analysis  and  interpretation  of  the  aero-geophysical  data;  PGE  and REE  exploration  and  research;  Marine  geology;  exchange  of  technology  and knowledge in the field of drilling, sampling and laboratory analysis to  achieve data accuracy;  training  and  capacity  building  of  scientific  personnel  etc.  The  follow-ups viz.  Joint  Working  Group  Meeting  (JWG),  formulation  of  collaborative  projects  of mutual  interest,  planning  of  the  execution  of  the  bilateral  projects  to  be  taken  up sequentially.

- *****