In the year 2010, the Controller General, Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) as Administering Authority for Offshore Area Mineral (Development & Regulation) Act, 2002 had constituted a screening committee for the purpose of scrutinizing and evaluating applications received for grant of mineral bearing offshore blocks located in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal for exploration and for making recommendations to the Administering Authority. The screening committee comprised of following:
- Shri M. Sengupta, the then Superintending Mining Geologist, IBM.
- Dr. A.R. Gujar, Scientist, National Institute of Oceanography, Goa.
- Dr. B.R. Venkatesh, Director, Geological Survey of India, Mangalore.
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