Oppn events protesting, Bill to amend mining norms clears Rajya Sabha

Amid protests by the Opposition, Rajya Sabha Monday handed The Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2021. The Bill proposes to take away restrictions of end-use for future auctions of mineral mining rights, enable operators of current captive mines to promote as much as 50 per cent of minerals extracted in a yr, and empower the central authorities to conduct public sale of mines if state governments don’t conduct auctions in a well timed method.
Union Minister for Mines Pralhad Joshi, who moved the Bill, mentioned there are eight main reforms to generate employment, redefine mining exploration, and to extend the sector’s GDP contribution. The National Mineral Exploration Trust, he mentioned, would grow to be an autonomous physique that will enable personal our bodies to discover and finish the distinction between captive and non-captive mines, he mentioned.
The Opposition demanded that the Bill be despatched to a choose committee. Congress MP Digvijaya Singh moved a movement to take action.

Joshi mentioned that India produces 95 minerals and produces Rs 1.25 lakh crore of minerals, however imports Rs 2.5 lakh crore of minerals. The GDP contribution of mining is one per cent and “we want to take it up to 2.5 per cent”, he mentioned.

“We know we have rich minerals but we are not able to dig it out,” Joshi mentioned.
Singh mentioned there must be correct dialogue in order that gram sabhas can provide their consent and problems with the poor and Adivasis might be addressed. “Please don’t do what you did with the farm Bill again,” he mentioned.