Environmental concerns would be given due weight while taking decisions concerning mines operations, Narender Singh Tomar said while assuming charge of the Union Minister for Ministry of Mines on Friday.
Tomar was accompanied by Vishnu Deo Sai, Minister of State for Mines. Tomar said they ministry would focus on using the mining resources available in the best interests of the nation and to fulfil the growth agenda of the new Government.
However, in ensuring growth, environmental concerns will not be sidelined and natural resources will not be unduly damaged, he said.
The Government will take into account the concerns of all the parties that can be affected by mining operations and not allow any exploitation of natural resources, he added.
Further, bringing in the mantra of the new administration, Tomar, too, promised transparency. He said they would like to change the perception of the ministry and promised to be more transparent.