By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR: During the last five years, 133 mineral blocks have been auctioned by various State Governments to Private Companies and approval of the Central Government was conveyed to the various State Governments for 16 proposals for reservation of area under Section 17A of the MMDR Act 1957 in favour of Government Companies. 16 blocks allotted to PSUs in last 5 years.
Odisha auctioned 41 blocks in which, 35 sold to private firms and 6 to both CPSU and State PSU in last five years from 2017-18 to 2021-22.
The Mines and Mineral (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 was amended with effect from 12.01.2015 whereby auction regime was introduced for grant of mineral concessions to bring in greater transparency and remove discretion at all levels in grant of mineral concessions. The auction is carried out by the respective State Governments. In addition to auction, mineral concessions are also granted to the Government companies through area reservation as per Section 17A of the MMDR Act 1957.
