Lok Sabha Question No. 1758 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: NMET-Funds
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Arvind Dharmapuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1758

ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025

## NMET-FUNDS

1758. SHRI ARVIND DHARMAPURI:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the total number of National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) funded exploration projects currently underway in Telangana as of 31st March 2025;
- (b) the details of the total funds sanctioned and utilised under the NMET during the year 2024-25 in Telangana;
- (c) the details of the estimated quantum of mineral reserves discovered in Telangana under NMET funded surveys since its inception and the current stage of those blocks; and
- (d) the details of the steps taken by the Government to ensure financial transparency, accountability and timely completion surveys of NMET projects in Telangana?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) A  total  of 03 number  of  NMET  funded  exploration  projects  are  currently underway in Telangana as of 31 st  March, 2025. The details are at Annexure - I.
- (b) The details of the total funds sanctioned and utilised under NMET in the year 2024-25 in Telangana are given at Annexure-II .
- (c) The details of estimated quantum of mineral reserves discovered in Telangana under NMET funded surveys since its inception and the current stage of those blocks are given at Annexure-III.
- (d) Following initiatives have  been  taken  to  ensure  financial transparency, accountability and timely completion of projects in Telangana:

## Financial transparency and accountability:

-  NMET disburses 40% of the approved budget as a mobilization advance to the State  Directorate  of  Geology  and  Mining,  the  Directorate  of  Mining  and Geology, and Notified Exploration Agency to initiate and carry out projects. After receiving  the  utilization  certificate  for  the  first  40%  advance,  the  next  40% instalment is released. The final payment is issued upon project completion, following  a  review  of  the  work  and  receipt  of  the  project  report  from  the agencies.
-  For Notified Private Exploration Agencies (NPEAs), NMET provides up to a 30% mobilization advance once it receives an equivalent bank guarantee from the  agencies.  The  remaining  amount  is  released  after  adjusting  for  the previously  issued  advance,  based  on  a  reimbursement  system.  The  nodal officer  from  State  Unit  of  Telangana,  GSI,  examine(s)/monitor(s)  the  work executed by the NPEA in the State and verify the bills claimed by NPEA for such purpose.
-  NMET  has  incorporated  accountability  and  transparency  measures  in  its sanction orders as provided in the General Financial Rules. In terms of Rule 230, 235, 236 and 238 of GFR, the agency should maintain subsidiary accounts of the Government Grants and furnish the same to the Principal Accounts Office of  the  Ministry.  The  account  shall  be  open  to  inspection  by  the  Sanctioning Authority and audit, both by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and internal  audit  by  the  Principal  Accounts  Office  of  the  Ministry  of  Mines, whenever the Organization is called upon to do so. As per Rule 236(3) of GFR, the agency shall get its accounts audited by Chartered Accountants and submit an audit report w.r.t the financial and physical performance of the project as stipulated in the sanction order and the cost sheet at the time of submission of the final bill.

## Timely completion of Projects:

-  The approved projects are periodically reviewed by the Technical-Cum-Cost Committee of NMET.
-  For any local administrative issues encountered during the projects, concerned District and State authorities are consulted to facilitate and resolve the issues.

*****

Annexure: I

## Total number of National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) funded exploration

|   S. No. | Project Title                                                                                                               | Implementing Agency                               |   Approved Cost (₹ in Cr.) |   Disbursed Cost (₹ in Cr.) |
|----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|----------------------------|-----------------------------|
|        1 | Preliminary Exploration (G3 Stage) for Limestone in Mangrur block, Adilabad District, Telangana                             | Maheshwari Mining Private Limited                 |                       0.69 |                        0.21 |
|        2 | Reconnaissance survey (G4) for REE and associated minerals in Nellikudur area Mahabubabad and Warangal districts, Telangana | Critical Mineral Trackers                         |                       1.03 |                        0.31 |
|        3 | Preliminary Exploration (G-3) For Limestone In Kodangal Block, Vikarabad District, Telangana State                          | Telangana Mineral Development Corporation Limited |                       1.61 |                        0.65 |

## Annexure: II

## The total funds sanctioned and utilised under the NMET in the year 2024-25

|   S. No. | Category                                                                                                                                        | Agency                                     |   Funds Sanctioned (₹ in Cr.) |   Funds Released (₹ in Cr.) |
|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|-----------------------------|
|        1 | Mineral Exploration projects funded by NMET                                                                                                     | Notified Exploration Agency                |                          1.61 |                        0.65 |
|        1 | Mineral Exploration projects funded by NMET                                                                                                     | Notified Private Exploration Agency        |                          1.73 |                        0.52 |
|        2 | Financial assistance from NMET funds to procure machinery/ laboratory equipment/instruments etc. aimed at enhancing the exploration activities. | Directorate of Mining & Geology, Telangana |                          7.51 |                        3    |
|        3 | Incentive to State Governments in respect of auction of mineral blocks                                                                          | Directorate of Mining & Geology, Telangana |                          0.4  |                        0.4  |
|        4 | Scheme for providing matching grant of 10% of annual collection in SMET                                                                         | Directorate of Mining & Geology, Telangana |                          1.95 |                        1.95 |

Annexure: III

## The details of estimated quantum of mineral reserves discovered in Telangana under NMET funded surveys

| S. No.   | Commodity           |   No. of Projects | Estimated Reserve (MT)   | Present Stage                 |
|----------|---------------------|-------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------------|
| 1.       | Limestone           |                10 | 152.07                   | 02 are auctioned              |
| 1.       | Limestone           |                10 | 41.68                    | 01 can be auctioned           |
| 1.       | Limestone           |                10 | 55.51                    | 07 further exploration needed |
| 2.       | Copper, Lead & Zinc |                 1 | 0.71                     | Can be Auctioned              |
|          | Total               |                11 |                          |                               |