Prez calls for Atmanirbharta in critical minerals

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday stressed upon the need to increase the focus on critical minerals for green transition. Critical minerals, including lithium, play a crucial role in the production of clean energy technologies, from wind turbines to electric cars. They are particularly in demand for the production of batteries for electric cars.

Speaking during National Geoscience Awards function, Murmu said the Critical Minerals Mission can provide essential raw material for green transition. For sustainable development, she said, India is committed to net-zero emission. Murmu also said that for making India a developed nation by 2047, there is a need for self reliance on mineral production and mineral exploration.

Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy said the government is focusing on making India self reliant in critical and strategic minerals. He further said that 14 critical mineral blocks have been put on sale. The government, he said, is giving priority to offshore blocks exploitation. The Centre, Reddy said, is committed to sustainable development. “We will work with commitment in order to make India a global leader in the mining sector,” he stressed.