5th_APRIL 1ST_2015

NATIONAL AGENDA
demanded that the bill be sent to the The bill adds a new 4th schedule in
Select Committee of the Rajya the parent Act to include mining of
Sabha.
bauxite, iron ore, limestone and
The Mines and Minerals (Develo
manganese ore as notified minerals.
p m e n t a n d R e g u l a t i o n ) Lease period- Bill has changed
Amendment Bill, 2015 was intro- it for 50 years, as against present 30
duced in Lok Sabha on February 24, years for all minerals other than
2015. The Bill amends the Mines coal, lignite and atomic minerals.
and Minerals (Development and While, there is no provision for
Regulation) Act, 1957. The Bill renewal of mining concessions,
replaces the Mines and Minerals unlike the parent Act.
(Development and Regulation) Auction of notified and other
Amendment Ordinance, 2015 pro- minerals- State governments will
mulgated on January 12, 2015. The grant mining leases and prospecting
Mines and Minerals (Development licence-cum-mining leases along
and Regulation) Act, 1957 regulates with approval of Union governthe
mining sector in India and speci- ment. In this case, Union governfies
the requirement for obtaining ment will prescribe the terms and
and granting mining leases for conditions for selection of bidders
mining operations. The Bill adds a as also the procedure for auctions.
new Fourth Schedule to the Act. It
Maximum area for miningincludes
bauxite, iron ore, lime-
Union government is permitted to
stone and manganese ore and are
increase the area allowed for mindefined
as notified minerals. The
ing, instead of granting additional
central government may, by notifileases
as per parent Act. Union
cation, amend this Schedule. The
government may reserve some
Bill creates a new category of mining
mines exclusively for some specific
license i.e. the prospecting licensepurposes.
cum-mining lease, which is a two
stage-concession for the purpose of Institutions- District Mineral
undertaking prospecting operations Foundation (DMF) to be set up in
(exploring or proving mineral mining areas affected by mining
deposits), followed by mining opergrievances.
operations to address local area
ations.
National Mineral
Key highlights of Bill
Exploration Trust (NMET) to be set
up for regional and pan-India plan-
Addition of new schedule- ning and detailed mine exploration.
THE
NATIONALIST 19