Bhopal: The National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) mine in Panna district of Bhopal will not be closed, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said. While addressing on a cognizance of public concern about the closure of Asia's only diamond mine on Sunday evening, Chief Minister assured, "the NMDC mine in Panna district will not be closed and all necessary aspects of keeping it functioning will be considered," Member of Parliament from Khajuraho and State President of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), VD Sharma along with Brijendra Pratap Singh Chauhan Member of Legislative Assembly from Panna held a meeting with the Chief Minister at his residence yesterday evening. The Ministers told the Chief that the mine plays a significant role in the employment of people who live in the areas located nearby. Area Director of Panna Tiger Reserve, Uttam Kumar Sharma has issued a letter to the general manager of the mine project directing the closure of the excavation work from January 1, 2021. Sonia Gandhi lashes out at Centre over farm laws New Strain could be tougher to control, Massive study report in UK Owaisi enraged at Mamta, says 'TMC should introspect instead of accusing me'