Guwahati/New Delhi, 27 May (HS): Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday met Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy and demanded expansion of coal mining in the state and extraction of new minerals.

In the meeting held at the Minister's Office at Shastri Bhawan, the Chief Minister stressed the need to create a seamless coal supply chain for the proposed thermal power plants in the state. He also appealed to increase Assam's coal income by expanding operations in Margherita coal mines.

Union Minister Reddy assured that cooperation in the coal and mine sector would be strengthened keeping in mind the needs of Assam. Giving information on X (formerly Twitter), the Chief Minister's Office said that the objective of the meeting was to tap the mineral potential of Assam and increase cooperation in the mine sector.

Officials of the Ministry of Coal and Mines said that recently the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved amendments to the 'Shakti Policy', which will ensure transparent allocation of coal to thermal power plants and simplify the process. This decision comes after the historic achievement of producing and supplying more than 1 billion tonnes of coal in 2024-25 in the country.

Assam Chief Secretary Dr. Ravi Kota, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. KK Dwivedi and Resident Commissioner of Assam Bhawan, New Delhi Kavita Padmanabhan also attended the meeting.

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash