Mining sector reforms have long been a victim of state apathy, which has led to the endemic menace of illegal mining. The reform process is now mired in inter-ministerial differences.

Differences between the law and mines ministries have widened on the issue of allowing mineral exports (of iron ore), with the law ministry demanding changes in the draft Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Bill 2010 to ensure conservation of minerals.

Nistula Hebbar, KG Narendranath

New Delhi: In what seems to reflect his ministry

Move to evolve uniform regulatory framework.

The group was in favour of making mine plans mandatory for the minor minerals as well and recommended that a separate corpus should be created for reclamation and rehabilitation of mined out areas.

Vishwanath Kulkarni

New Delhi, June 7

The Union Government will soon introduce Mineral Regulation Bill to nationalise mines, Law and Justice Minister M Veerappa Moily has said.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Sunday, the Union minister said the proposed Bill would impose restrictions on export of ores by a

Concerned over the environment impact of rampant mining of minor minerals such as sand and fuller earth, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has asked the states to amend rules for such activities in line with the guidelines framed by his ministry.

New Delhi: The government plans to force foreign and domestic mining firms to share a quarter of their net profit with local communities, seeking to undercut a sense of alienation among its rural poor opposed to giving up land for industry.

Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday shot out a directive to the State governments to adopt a nation-wide uniform mechanism for regulating mining of minor minerals, that includes minimum mining lease of five years and minimum size of mine not less than five hectares.

The suggestion made by the PMO to set up an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) to ensure timely clearances from the ministry of environment & forests for coal blocks, before auctioning takes place, makes eminent sense.

A bill proposes 26 percent shareholding for tribals in companies getting mining leases in their area.

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