G.O (2D) No. 22 Dated 13.6.2003 of Industries Dept, Tamil Nadu

Industries - Part II Scheme for 2003-2004 - Mines and Minerals - Scheme for reappraised of limestone deposit in Southern and Western districts of Tamil Nadu - Orders - Issued.

From the Commissioner of Geology and Mining letter Rc.No.17295 / PD4 / 2002, dated 25.11.2002 and 18.12.2002.

The Commissioner of Geology and Mining in his letters read above has sent proposals for reappraisal of limestone deposit in Southern and Western Districts of Tamil Nadu under Part II Scheme for the year 2003-2004 for the approval of the Government.

2. Tamilnadu is endowed with potential reserves of both crystalline and sedimentary limestone deposits. Geology and Mining department has already taken up a detailed limestone investigation for sedimentary limestone in the cretaceous basin of Perambalur and Ariyalur district under ninth Five Year Plan. The investigation is being continued and the result of the investigation is encouraging in terms of bringing to light several new horizons of sedimentary limestone deposits in the cretaceous basin. On the basis of successful result achieved in the investigation for sedimentary limestone deposit the Geology and Mining department has proposed to take up similar study for unearthing the new crystalline limestone deposits in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu. The Southern parts of Tamilnadu have already contributed sizably in harnessing the available limestone deposits for industrial purpose. Six major cement plants of which five under private sector and one under public sector have already been set up based on the availability of limestone in these part of the State. Therefore, the scheme proposed in the tenth five year plan is designed to cover the unraveled areas so that new areas of limestone occurrences can be identified and the possibility of setting up of few more major or mini cement plants can be explored, considering the increase in building activities and consequent consumption of cement in such building activities.

3. The year-wise work under the scheme spanning a period of 5 years includes regional study of the different limestone horizons, outside the leaseholds in the basin and assessment of the scope of drilling work involved to compute the reserves in the area; trenching and pitting in the limestone formation, drilling in limestone formation and lastly completion of drilling in the basin filling up the gap wherever present and finalisation of report. The Commissioner of Geology and Mining has proposed that one post each of Assistant Geologist, Drill operator and Driver may be sanctioned to carry out the above work. The total estimated cost for the scheme for 2003-2004 is Rs.12.71 lakhs and the ultimate total outlay will be Rs.34.27 lakhs.

4. The Government after careful examination have decided to accept the proposal of the Commissioner of Geology and Mining and sanction scheme for reappraisal of limestone deposit in southern and western districts of Tamilnadu at an estimated cost of Rs.12.71 lakhs (Rupees twelve lakhs and seventy one thousand only) under Part II scheme for the year 2003-2004 as detailed below:-

Sl.No.	Item of Expenditure	Amount (Rupees in lakhs)
1.	Salaries	2.86
2.	Wages	1.60
3.	Contingent	0.40
4.	Rent	0.60
5.	Materials and supplies	2.00
6.	Motor Vehicle (Purchase)	5.00
7.	Petroleum, oil and lubricant Total	0.25 12.71

5. Government also sanction the creation of the following temporary posts in the scale of pay noted against each:

Sl.No.	Designation	Number of post	Scale of Pay Rs.
1.	Assistant Geologist	1	6500-200-11100/-
2.	Drill Operator	1	4300-100-6000/-
3.	Driver (On contract basis)	1	3,000/- per month consolidated.

6. The Government further sanction the purchase of one jeep at a total cost of Rs.5 lakhs (Rupees Five lakhs only) for the implementation of the scheme sanctioned in paragraph 4 above.

"2853 Non-Ferrous Mining and Metallurgical Industries-02. Regulation and Development of Mines-101 Survey and Mapping II State Plan - JA Expansion of State Geological Department - Head Quarters - 01. Salaries - D.P. Code 2853-02-101-JA-0108".

"2853 Non-Ferrous Mining and Metallurgical Industries-02. Regulation and Development of Mines-101 survey and Mapping II State Plan - JA Expansion of State Geological Department - Head Quarters - 02. Wages - D.P. Code 2853-02-101-JA-0206".

(iii) The expenditure towards other contingencies (R.0.40 lakhs) will be debited to:

(vi) The expenditure towards Materials and Supplies (R.2.00 lakhs) will be debited to:

8. This order issues with the concurrence of Finance Department vide its U.O No.30451 / Industries / 03, dt.3.6.2003.