Idea thrown open by NITI Aayog, who proposed a unified tax regime for the industry, where all royalties, levies, duties and taxes will be subsumed into GST

It conducted a workshop focused on environmental and forest issues, National Mineral Policy, different aspects of statutory clearances

In a major setback to mining companies indulged in illegal extraction of iron and manganese ore in Odisha since 2001, the Supreme Court on Wednesday cracked the whip and directed them to pay a comp

It will investigate the role of public servants in undue favours to private firms

In a significant development, the Central Bureau of Investigation has decided to widen its probe into Coalgate, covering allegations that the delay in tabling of the Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2008, in Parliament was deliberate. The CBI has found out that the system the authorities adopted for the formation of joint ventures was not transparent and accused public servants of vested interest in the award of the contract for development of mines or forming joint ventures with private parties, unduly benefitting a large number of private firms, it said in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, which is hearing a petition on the scam.

Tells Supreme Court system was not transparent

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has widened its probe in the coal block allocation scam to cover the delay in introduction of bidding. The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had continued with allocation of blocks through the screening committee route, as the proposal for bidding had been moving back and forth between government departments. CBI had last year limited itself to probing irregularities in the allocation of blocks, without going into the policy issue of bidding.

SHILLONG: The Union Ministry of Mines has enunciated the National Mineral Policy 2008, which seeks to develop a sustainable framework for optimum utilization of the country’s natural mineral resources for the industrial growth in the country, and at the same time improving the life of people living in the mining areas, which are generally located in the backward and tribal regions of the country.

New Delhi Keen to stay clear of the minefield of scandals and lawsuits, the Union mines ministry has asked the attorney general (AG) whether mining lease applications can be disposed of under the first-come-first-served (FCFS) policy, until upcoming legislation makes auction mandatory.

The ministry's concern is that granting mineral concessions through FCFS policy might attract strictures from the Supreme Court and run afoul of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India's stated position on the matter.Over 400 pending mining lease/licence execution cases are waiting for the ministry's no-objection certificate, before states can process the lease.

PANJIM: Chief Minister Digambar Kamat Thursday said that State Mining Policy will be enacted soon after Centre passes Mines and Minerals Development Regulation (MMDR) bill 2011, during ongoing Parl

Auction to be restricted to subsequent stages of prospecting and mining leases

The government will offer exploration of deep-seated minerals on a first-come, first-served basis rather than by an auction to make the high-risk, high-investment sector attractive for private players.
The mining ministry wants to restrict bidding to only prospecting and mining, the stages that follow initial explor

Rahul Mazumdar

The mining sector in India constitutes the bedrock of industrial development as it provides the basic raw materials for most industries. During 2005-10, the mining industry registered a growth of 5.7%, thereby supporting the critical raw material requirements of the country. With the support of the mining industry, India