Upset with the stiff inter-ministerial differences continuing to derail its efforts in bringing about greater transparency in the mining sector by streamlining the grant of mineral concessions, the Centre today constituted a Group of Ministers (GoM) to iron out the wrinkles.
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.
New Delhi, 9 JUNE: The law ministry has favoured more power to the Centre in dealing with illegal mining, an area hitherto falling under the states domain.
The ministry made these suggestion on the draft mining legislation sent to it by the mines ministry for vetting.
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.
New Delhi, June 6: With the Karnataka government rejecting suggestions for a CBI probe, the Union mines ministry is looking at other means to crack down on the mining mafia in the state.
In the face of the Karnataka government's resistance to a CBI probe, the matter was referred to the Cabinet, and the issue was discussed in the Prime Minister's office, the mines minister, Mr B. K.
Weightage will be numerical in l character and enable a composite ranking based on the bid price and marks assigned for each criterion
SEEKING to fulfill a long-felt need for a transparent mineral concession regime, the government is all set to empower the states to start competitive bidding for granting of mining leases. Currently the leases are granted on the first-come-first-served basis.
With the Karnataka government rejecting suggestions for a CBI probe, the Union Mines Ministry is pursuing other moves to crack down on the mining mafia in the state.
In the face of the Karnataka government's resistance to a CBI probe, the matter was referred to the Cabinet and the issue was discussed in the Prime Minister's office, Mines Minister B K Handique told PTI.
