BARMER, July 26 -- The Centre has confirmed the presence of significant quantities of rare earth minerals in Barmer and Jaisalmer districts, including monazite, uranium, thorium, niobium, rubidium, and rare earth elements, in the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Parliament. In response to a question raised by MP Ummedaram Beniwal in the Lok Sabha, Union minister of coal and mines G. Kishan Reddy said extensive exploration work has been carried out in the region over recent years, leading to identification of economically and strategically important mineral deposits. The minister informed the House that GSI has conducted 47 exploration projects in Barmer, Jaisalmer, and Balotra (previously part of Barmer district) during 2021-22 to 2025-26 leading to the discovery of rare earth elements, niobium, tantalum, zirconium, rubidium, hafnium, and limestone. Besides, more than 5000 million tonnes of limestone reserves have been found in Jaisalmer alone, while Barmer region has yielded vast quantities of critical minerals. The Department of Atomic Energy's Atomic Minerals Directorate has undertaken detailed exploration of the Siwana Ring Complex in Balotra district. The exploration has confirmed the presence of rare earth elements and radioactive minerals in the region. A geological report of Bhatikhera area is submitted to both the Central and Rajasthan governments. However, MP Ummedaram Beniwal expressed concern over the government's approach, stating that despite the discovery of such massive and strategically vital mineral reserves, there has been no concrete action plan or clear response from the Centre regarding a mining roadmap, investment policy, lease allocation process, or a transparent framework for local employment generation Beniwal said, "Despite the presence of such a vast and strategically important mineral wealth, the government has not presented any concrete mining action plan, investment policy, lease allocation mechanism, or transparent framework for mining and local employment generation....