Rajasthan set to be first State in country to conclude e-auction of minerals

The entire process of auction of the three blocks, scheduled to take place in the last week of January 2016, from registration to finalisation of bids will be online.

Going ahead, the Government of Rajasthan plans to continue with the process of e-auction for other minerals too.

The notice inviting the tender for grant of mining leases for the limestone blocks has been hosted on the websites of MSTC Ltd, Director, Mines & Geology, Rajasthan and the Government of Rajasthan under e-procurement. Interested bidders can participate in the bidding after online purchase of the tender document.

“The Chief Minister Smt. Vasundhar Raje had directed the Mines & Geology Department to operationalise a fully transparent e-auction process for the granting of mining leases in order to realise the true economic value of mineral resources and generate optimum revenue for the State exchequer. We are now fully geared to do that,” said Deepak Upreti, Principal Secretary, Department of Mines & Petroleum, Government of Rajasthan.

The bids have been invited under the two-bid system. Bidders will qualify on the basis of pre-qualification net worth criteria and those who provide an adequate initial price offer will be allowed to participate in the second round of financial bidding.

Potential bidders will be provided a demonstration of the e-auction process and training for participation by MSTC, a Government of India enterprise. A pre bid conference will also be held to not only solicit views of the bidders but also to respond to their queries, if any.

The tender documents have been prepared for e-auction in consultation with MECON Ltd., a Government of India undertaking, based on the provision of MMDR (Amendment) Act, 2015, Mineral Auction Rules 2015 and the Mineral Policy of the State. MSTC has been appointed to provide e-auction services and to conduct the whole process. MSTC has earlier successfully conducted e-auction for coal blocks.