A move that proposes to allow forest dwellers to commercially exploit minor forest produce, which includes bamboo, has worried activists and the forest administration, especially after what happene

Rural development minister says mining one of key issues contributing to Maoist stranglehold over mineral-rich forest areas.

Vedanta Aluminium, which runs a 1 million tonne alumina refinery in Orissa’s Kalahandi district, may shut down within a fortnight due to acute shortage of bauxite.

New Delhi In a major step towards women empowerment, the Centre is planning a new legislation that will make the woman of the house the chief beneficiary of the compensation for land acquired for mining projects. According to officials in the mining ministry, the move will not only ensure the compensation amount is spent wisely but also give women a bigger role in financial decision-making.

The draft new Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Bill, 2011 — which is currently being vetted by a parliamentary standing committee — provides for sharing of 26% of profit by coal miners and an amount equivalent to royalty by others (in case of other minerals) with project-affected people. The money is to be distributed to beneficiaries through a District Mineral Development Fund.

PANJIM: The State government on Tuesday disclosed plans for conducting a fresh survey of the Tribal population in Goa that would facilitate implementation of schemes and disbursement of benefits for this backward section of society.

Minister for Tribal Welfare Ramesh Tawadkar stated that the survey conducted almost a year ago to enumerate the tribal population was not correct, while speaking during Question Hour.

A special commission will soon be set up to fix the minimum support price (MSP) for forest produces used by tribals to earn their livelihoods, the Government said here on Monday.

NEW DELHI, 6 AUG: A special commission will soon be set up to fix a minimum support price for forest produce sold by tribals to earn their livelihoods, the Centre announced today.

New Delhi In a move that is expected to benefit millions of people earning their livelihood from the forest, the government has decided to appoint a special commission for fixing minimum support price (MSP) for minor forest produce like bamboo, mahua and tendu leaves.

The commission is expected to be appointed by January 2013 under the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation (Trifed), tribal affairs minister V Kishore Chandra Deo said on Monday. The Planning Commission has already given its approval for setting up such a commission. “There is a procedure for setting up a commission. We have received a go ahead from the Planning Commission and Trifed will be its nodal agency,” Deo said.

Tribal affairs ministry finalises changes in rules to correct contradictions and effectively implement the legislation.

The Society of Geoscientists and Allied Technologists (SGAT) has vehemently opposed Union tribal welfare minister V Kishore Chandra Deo’s demand for stoppage of bauxite mining in Eastern Ghats.

“We strongly refute observations of the Union tribal welfare minister as these are not based on facts,” said B K Mohanty, advisor, SGAT, a non-profit making professional body dedicated to promotion of mineral development.