A lot has been dished out about Gemstones and in fact very little remain to be told.

However, I would like to place a few facts relevant to the investigation and development of Gemstones of Orissa.

Occurrences of gemstones in the districts of Bolangir and Kalahandi and cases of clandestine extraction and smuggling came to light during the 1970s. This was followed by systematic investigation by GSI, DMG and OMC during the 1980s.

As a matter of fact, many of the occurrences were known from such clandestine operations Orissa's gem were better known outside the state than within Jaipur traders could exactly say from where a particular stone came from.

M. N. Vishwanath, a consulting Geologist engaged by OMC had identified 35 potential gem belts in the undivided districts of Bolangir, Kalahandi, Phulbani, Koraput, Sambalpur and Dhenkanal.

An UNDP Programme was implemented in the state during 1990-95. This was extended till 1997 to include Diamond. Almost simultaneously, an Australian aided High Resolution Aero Magnetic survey was carried out covering practically the entire potential gems tracts of the State. As many 15 officers from the DM & G and OMC were trained under these two programmes in Australia and USA.

A visible outcome of the two programmes was that the State Directorate of M & G got the benefit in having a Gem Testing laboratory and a Centre for processing of aeromagnetic data.

If we have studied the pattern of investigation world wide, no specific exploration technique has evolved for coloured stones.

Gemstone workings have been characterized by illegal mining and smuggling and failure of the State Govt. to prevent it. This is due to lack of concerted & coordinated efforts by the Mining, Police and Forest Deptts. and absence of accountability.

It has been the experience of the geologists that whatever technique they adopt, like pitting and trenching carried out during the day, the villagers excavate them further in the night and recover whatever gemstones they encounter in the process.

I will cite another instance. Following news about occurrence of diamond in the bed of river Mahanadi in Boudh area, hundreds of villagers from far and near and spouses of officers of Boudh were engaged in the midst o summer in one year, in panning the river sand for days together. The Collector of the district did not prevent the illegal working as it solved the problem of unemployment to some extent. What the panners got were garnets and not diamond.

The state's attempts to administer and regulate working of Gemstones started in 1981 when OMC was entrusted the work of expl. Mining and exploitation.

In 1988, OMC was authorized to form Joint Sector Companies GEMCO was created in 1989.

Orissa Minerals (Prevention of theft, smuggling and other unlawful activities) Act was enacted in 1989 and OMPTTS Rules in 1990. In 1989, a new Gem Policy was notified.

In 2000, considering certain snags in the policy and its workability, the State Govt. decided to repeal the policy. Accordingly a proposal to make a new policy is reportedly to have been sent by the Director of Mines to Govt. in 2003. It is awaiting approval.

Orissa is often pioneer in many fields. But it loses its way somewhere before reaching the last post. Well laid out transparent policy, pragmatic and determined approach are what the state lack. There does not seem to be any urgency. The State Governments utterances about importance of minerals to the state's economy are confined to speeches. The ground realities tell different story.

Gemstones are classified under the category of major minerals. It would be appropriate and in the interest of the State to lease out the areas without any sort of reservation whatsoever in accordance with the provisions of the MM (D & R) Act with the proviso that the lessee will set up lapidary units in the state. This will some extent reduce the clandestine operations to some extent.