Anurag Thakur honoured again with Sansad Ratna Award, panel on coal, steel and mines recognised
Shimla, May 24: Former Union minister and Hamirpur MP Anurag Singh Thakur has once again been selected for the prestigious Sansad Ratna Award, bringing recognition to Himachal Pradesh at the national level.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal, Steel and Mines, chaired by Thakur, has been chosen for the award in recognition of its outstanding performance during the 18th Lok Sabha.
Expressing gratitude over the honour, Thakur thanked the selection committee and all members of the parliamentary panel. He said the recognition was not only a personal achievement but also a matter of pride for his parliamentary constituency and the entire state of Himachal Pradesh.
“This honour reflects the collective commitment of the committee members towards effective parliamentary oversight, legislative scrutiny and addressing key issues related to the coal, mining and steel sectors,” he said.
The Sansad Ratna Awards were instituted in 2010 following the suggestion of former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam to recognise outstanding parliamentarians. The selection process is based on parameters such as participation in debates, questions raised in Parliament, introduction of bills, attendance and utilisation of MPLADS funds.
Thakur had earlier received the Sansad Ratna Award in 2019 for his performance as chief whip of his party in the Lok Sabha and as MP from Hamirpur. The award was presented in Chennai by former Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit.
Under Thakur’s chairmanship, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal, Steel and Mines has presented 23 reports in both Houses of Parliament so far. The reports include reviews and recommendations related to the ministries of coal, mines and steel.
Key issues examined by the committee include streamlining environmental and forest clearances for coal mining projects, implementation of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds and PMKKKY schemes, self-reliance in minerals and metals, review of the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust (NMEDT), the steel scrap recycling policy and organisational reforms in Steel Authority of India Limited.
The committee has reportedly held over 50 meetings within a year to deliberate on policies and development in the energy, mining and steel sectors and submitted recommendations aimed at strengthening national growth.
Calling the award a source of motivation, Thakur said the recognition would inspire him to continue raising people-centric issues and contribute towards the vision of a developed and self-reliant India.
