5th_APRIL 1ST_2015

NATIONAL AGENDA
· The e-auction of coal blocks will mines, a process that has already
ensure the continuity in coal mining begun. The ongoing auction has
operations and promoting optimum attracted aggressive bids, which will
utilization of coal resources.
give states about Rs 2 lakh crore
· The bill also facilitates e-auction over the life of the mines that have
of coal blocks for private companies been auctioned so far. Further, the
for captive use and allots mines auction process ends the opaque
directly to state and central Public system of mine allotment, which
Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
drew sharp criticism from the
Comptroller & Auditor General and
· It has provisions that propose
contributed to the collapse in the
strong measures for rehabilitation
authority and standing of the
and compensation for displaced
Manmohan Singh government. The
persons.
allocation of all coal mines since
· The bill also provides for vesting 1993 was struck down by the
of the right, title and interest over Supreme Court in August last year.
the land and mine infrastructure
In the coal sector, foreign compatogether
with mining leases to sucnies
with Indian subsidiaries will be
cessful bidders.
eligible for commercial mining. This
· The passage of the two Bills provision is expected to attract
means the Modi Government has global mining giants and make the
n o w m a n a g e d t o o b t a i n sector more competitive and cost-
Parliament's approval for three of effective.
the four reform measures that were
(Shubhendu Anand, a graduate of the
implemented through ordinances. Tata Institute of Social Sciences and
The last one that waits Parliament's currently a student of Law at University
nod is Land Acquisition Bill.
of Delhi, is a Research Associate at
The enactment of the two laws
SPMRF).
allows transparent auction of
THE
NATIONALIST 21