4.2Accordingly the State Government, in 1996, formed a Committee under the Chairmanship of the Commissioner-cum-Secretary. Department of Steel & Mines to recommend measures for formulation of a new policy with the following objectives :(i)to ensure higher income for the State mining of gemstone and local lapidary units.(ii)to ensure greater employment through gemstone mining cutting and polishing activities.(iii)to stop clandestine extraction and trading and ensure higher income to Government and poor villagers.(iv)to ensure transparency in the matter of grant of lease/licence for extraction and trading of gemstones.
