V.L. Kantha Rao has assumed charge as the new Secretary of the Ministry of Mines on September 1, 2023. He is a 1992 batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre.
He has held several important positions in his career, including:
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Telecommunications
Special Secretary, Ministry of Mines
Principal Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Madhya Pradesh
Commissioner, Bhopal Municipal Corporation
He is a graduate in Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and has a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School. He is also a Fellow of the Indian Institute of Public Administration.
In his new role as Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, Rao will be responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies related to the mining sector. He will also be responsible for the promotion of sustainable mining practices and the development of the mineral resources of the country.
Rao is a highly qualified and experienced officer with a proven track record of success. He is well-suited to the challenges of the mining sector and is expected to make significant contributions to the development of the sector.
Here are some of the key challenges that Rao will face in his new role:
The need to increase production of minerals to meet the growing demand of the domestic and international markets.
The need to promote sustainable mining practices to protect the environment and the health of the workers.
The need to address the issue of illegal mining and smuggling.
The need to develop new technologies for mining and processing of minerals.
Rao is confident that he can overcome these challenges and make a positive impact on the mining sector. He has said that he will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that the mining sector contributes to the economic development of the country.
