Ranchi, Sept. 29: The Jharkhand State Mineral Advisory Committee (JSMAC) has been lying defunct since its formation on July 7 last year.

The state government had constituted the panel to seek expert advice on the mining prospects in mineral-rich Jharkhand and to identify areas of rich mineral deposits.

But like many such committees formed by the state government, this panel seems to have lost its relevance.

“We want to advise the government. But there should be a taker,” said a committee member.

Constituted on July 7 last year, the JSMAC has been without a chairman since August 20 after the death of J.D. Roy. The committee, which is supposed to meet every month, has met only thrice over the past 15 months. “This indicates the seriousness of the government,” the member said.

The last meeting of the committee was held on June 28 after a nine-month gap. It deliberated on inviting investors to pump funds into the mining sector. The panel prepared a document — “Expression of Interest” — to woo prospective investors.

But some of the members expressed their “unhappiness” with the way the committee was constituted and had reservations about the nomination of some of the members.

“Some of the members have their own business while others are associated with big business houses. Some represent institutions of high repute. They have no time to think about development in the mines and mineral sector apart from their regular work. They hardly take interest in attending meetings. It was only on August 1 that all the members were present since the meeting was attended by the chief minister,” said a retired CCL mining engineer.

Another member said it was difficult to hold regular meetings as the government was yet to provide proper infrastructure to the committee. “Before his death, founder chairman J.D. Roy had written to the mines and geology secretary, requesting him for a furnished office, an assistant, two typists, two grade IV employees, a typewriter, a computer with an operator, telephone, fax and a car with driver for smooth functioning. But so far nothing has been done,” he said.

Department sources said even the government did not take into account the suggestions made by the JSMAC.

The sources pointed out that the six sub-committees, constituted by the JSMAC gave many suggestions to the government for the development several minerals, including coal. “But the suggestions were swept under the carpet,’’ the official added.