The Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) is an important platform of the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines to finalize its Annual Program.In this forum the members of the CGPB namely,the State Governments, Central/State Government Exploration Agencies, PSUs etc. present their proposals for collaborative work with GSI. Based on the priorities set by the Government and the importance and urgency of proposals presented by the members and stakeholders, the Annual Program of GSI on survey, exploration and training during the next financial year is finalized.

The Ministry of Mines, Government of India, vide notification dated 13th March 2009 had revamped and reconstituted the CGPB Committee into 12 theme-based groups. The main objective of this reconstitution is to enable the State governments and other stakeholders to accrue benefits from wider participation and interaction with GSI to further their activities and avoid duplication of work. It was felt that it would provide a better forum for coordination between Central and State level stakeholders by encouraging regular meeting of State Geological Programming Boards (SGPB), set up by the State Governments. It was decided that the 12 Committees for various sub-sectors would comprise members and invitees from the concerned States and Agencies engaged in activities relevant to that particular sector and present their recommendations to the CGPB.

The 55^th CGPB

The 55^th Central Geological Programming Board(CGPB) meeting is being held on 17-18 February, 2016 at A.P. Shinde Symposium Hall,NASC Complex, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), DPS Marg, Pusa, NewDelhi-110012 under the chairmanship of Shri Balvinder Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Mines. Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Hon’ble Minister of Steel & Mines will grace the meeting as the Chief Guest. Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Hon’ble Mnister of State for Steel & Mines will be the Guest of Honour. The meeting will be attended by senior officers of Ministry of Mines, GSI and members from other Central Ministries, State Directorates of Mining and Geology, mining industry, related PSUs and other stake holders.    

The CGPB meeting will be held over a period of one and half days and will deliberate on the various recommendations received from the 12 committees as well as the SGPBs and finalise the Field Season Program of GSI for 2016-17.

In the 54^th CGPB meeting held on 5-6 February, 2015 GSI had placed before the Board 737 items for GSI Field Season 2015-16.

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YSK/Uma