Assam Council Eyes Rs 1,014 Crore Yearly From Limestone Mining

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the Dima Hasao Autonomous Council (DHAC) will secure roughly Rs 1,014 crore in annual revenue from new limestone mining operations. The move follows the transparent auction of 13 limestone blocks to top cement companies. These projects will generate an estimated Rs 84,500 crore over the next 50 years. That averages out to Rs 1,690 crore each year.

Under the new deal, the council keeps 60 per cent of the total intake. Sarma posted the figures on X, framing the windfall as a move to grant the region true fiscal independence. It cuts reliance on state and federal cash flows. The Chief Minister expects this influx to bolster the district by keeping funds in local hands. He believes economic growth will heal the scars of a troubled past. Regarding the potential impact, Sarma said, "business and development could benefit indigenous areas when local institutions receive a direct share of the revenue."

Sarma hit back at critics who argue against industrial work in indigenous zones. He maintains that the extraction project provides a consistent, long-term income stream for the district. By bypassing the usual wait for government grants, the council gains the power to fund its own needs directly.