Hutti Gold Mines to triple production in one-and-half years: Mines and Geology Minister Nirani
New Delhi, Feb 14: India's only gold producer Hutti Gold Mines plans to triple annual production of the yellow metal to 5,000 kgs in one-and-a-half years, according to Karnataka Mines and Geology Minister Murugesh R Nirani.
Nirani, who completes one month in office as cabinet minister in the BJP-ruled Karnataka government, added that due to COVID-19, the revenue from mines auction so far in the current fiscal could reach only 85 per cent of the Rs 3,700 crore achieved in 2019-20. But in the next fiscal, it is expected to surpass the target of Rs 4,000 crore.
The minister also highlighted the new policy measures the state government is working on to curb illegal mining and attract investment, including introducing a single-window clearance system and holding 'mining adalats' for addressing grievances, besides ramping up gold production in the state.
Speaking to PTI, the minister said Karnataka has the distinction of being the only gold ore producer in India. There are enough reserves, technology and market for gold, the price of which has soared to over Rs 47,000 per 10 grams now.
Hutti Gold Mines Company Limited (HGML), a Karnataka government undertaking, operates one unit each in Raichur and Chitradurga districts.
"Currently, HGML is producing 1,700 kg per annum. Within 18 months, the plan is to increase gold production to 5,000 kg per annum. There are reserves, technology and markets. There is potential," Nirani said.
According to the HGML website, the Chitradurga unit's operations for gold mining and processing ore have been temporarily suspended and the company has diversified into wind farm projects.
The Hutti Gold Unit (HGU) in Raichur district is a fully integrated facility with a capacity to produce 5,50,000 tonnes per annum.
Asked about the number of mining assets to be auctioned in the 2021-22 fiscal, the minister said there are certain issues in mining because of which the proposals are pending at the central government level.
Already, the state government has made a representation to the Union Mines Ministry which has assured clearance of pending proposals and paving the way for auctions in a transparent way, he said.
On revenue earned from mines auction in 2020-21, Nirani said it has reached only 85 per cent of the Rs 3,700 crore achieved in the 2019-20 fiscal.
"The revenue was lower this year because of lack of mining activities in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. However for next fiscal, our target is to achieve Rs 4,000 crore. We expect to surpass this," he added.
Regarding the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds meant to be used in mining-affected areas, the minister said the state government has collected Rs 2,400 crore in the DMF till December 2020. However, only Rs 600 crore has been utilised so far.
"Still we have Rs 1,800 crore. It has not been utilised as in some districts not a single meeting has been convened in the last two years," Nirani said.
However, district collectors in mining areas have been directed to hold monthly meetings and warned of strict action for not utilising the DMF funds which are normally used for construction of roads and health infrastructure, among others, he added.
As regards the policy changes the state government is mulling to make mining activities more transparent, the minister said permissions are required from seven-eight departments, from revenue to environment and transport, for carrying out any mining work.
However, there are certain gaps in the current system due to which in some cases mining activity appears to be illegal.
For example, a company is served with a notice for illegal mining work by the forest department two years after issuing a 'no objection certificate' (NOC) for the same project, he said.
Suppose a company has got permission to excavate from 'x' mine but due to non-recovery has excavated at 'y' place. Even this is termed as illegal but investors have a different view on this, he said, adding these gaps will be addressed.
Nirani, who discussed these issues with Union Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday in the national capital, said the central government has assured it of support and cooperation on this issue.
Further, he said the state government is planning to introduce a single window clearance system for mining projects. "Already, a draft is ready and very soon the policy will be announced. The idea is to fast-track the clearance and attract investment," he said.
That apart, the government plans to hold 'mining adalats' in Mysuru, Belgaum, Gulbarga, Bengaluru and Mangalore on a fortnightly basis to address grievances related to mining projects, he added.
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CJI calls for 'unified judicial policy', use of technology to converge practices across courts
Jaisalmer (PTI): Pushing for a "unified judicial policy", Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday said technology can help align standards and practices across courts, creating a "seamless experience" for citizens, regardless of their location.
He said high courts -- due to the federal structure -- have had their own practices and technological capacities, and "regional barriers" can be broken down with technology to create a more unified judicial ecosystem.
Delivering the keynote address at the West Zone Regional Conference in Jaisalmer, Kant proposed the idea of a "national judicial ecosystem" and called for an overhaul of India's judicial system with the integration of technology.
"Today, as technology reduces geographical barriers and enables convergence, it invites us to think of justice not as regional systems operating in parallel, but as one national ecosystem with shared standards, seamless interfaces, and coordinated goals," he said.
He emphasised how the role of technology in the judiciary has evolved over time.
"Technology is no longer merely an administrative convenience. It has evolved into a constitutional instrument that strengthens equality before the law, expands access to justice, and enhances institutional efficiency," he said, highlighting how digital tools can bridge gaps in the judicial system.
Kant pointed out that technology enables the judiciary to overcome the limitations of physical distance and bureaucratic hurdles.
"It allows the judiciary to transcend physical barriers and bureaucratic rigidities to deliver outcomes that are timely, transparent and principled," he said, adding that the effective use of technology can modernise the delivery of justice and make it more accessible to citizens across the country.
The CJI called for implementing a "unified judicial policy".
He said India's judicial system has long been shaped by its federal structure, and different high courts have their own practices and technological capacities.
"India's vast diversity has led to different high courts evolving their own practices, administrative priorities and technological capacities. This variation, though natural in a federal democracy, has resulted in uneven experiences for litigants across the country," he said.
Kant underscored that predictability is crucial for building trust in the judicial system.
"A core expectation citizens place upon the courts is predictability," he said, adding that citizens should not only expect fair treatment but also consistency in how cases are handled across the country.
He pointed to the potential of technology in improving predictability.
"Technology enables us to track systemic delays and make problems visible rather than concealed," he said.
By identifying areas where delays occur, such as in bail matters or cases involving certain types of disputes, courts can take targeted action to address these issues and improve efficiency, Kant said.
The CJI explained that data-driven tools could identify the reasons behind delays or bottlenecks, allowing for faster, more focused solutions.
"Technology enables prioritisation by flagging sensitive case categories, monitoring pendency in real time and ensuring transparent listing protocols," he said.
Justice Surya Kant also discussed the importance of prioritising urgent cases where delays could result in significant harm. He highlighted his recent administrative order that ensures urgent cases, such as bail petitions or habeas corpus cases, are listed within two days of curing defects.
"Where delay causes deep harm, the system must respond with urgency," he stated, explaining that technology can help courts identify and expedite such cases.
Kant also raised the issue of the clarity of judicial decisions.
He noted that many litigants, despite winning cases, often struggle to understand the terms of their judgment due to complex legal language.
"Although the orders had gone in their favour, they remained unsure of what relief they had actually secured because the language was too technical, vague or evasive to understand," he said.
He advocated for more uniformity in how judgments are written.
"A unified judicial approach must therefore extend to how we communicate outcomes," he said.
The CJI also discussed the role of AI and digital tools in improving case management. He pointed to the potential of AI-based research assistants and digital case management systems to streamline judicial processes.
"Emerging technological tools are now capable of performing once-unthinkable functions. They can highlight missing precedent references, cluster similar legal questions, and simplify factual narration," he said, explaining how these technologies can help judges make more consistent decisions.
He also highlighted tools like the National Judicial Data Grid and e-courts, which are already helping to standardise processes like case filings and tracking.
Kant reiterated that the integration of technology into the judicial process is not just about improving efficiency but about upholding the integrity of the system and strengthening public trust.
"The measure of innovation is not the complexity of the software we deploy, but the simplicity with which a citizen understands the outcome of their case and believes that justice has been served," he said.
