By Anurjay Dhal
BHUBANESWAR: Union Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Pralhad Joshi has assured industry and mining captains that the Union Government is coming up with a dynamic and transparent ‘National Mineral Index’ to streamline the entire mining sector.
In a series of tweets, Union Minister Joshi said Government is to develop a dynamic and transparent ‘National Mineral Index’. In the spirit of cooperative federalism, the index will have representatives of States and will be determined by the market.
“Govt to develop a dynamic and transparent ‘National Mineral Index’. In the spirit of cooperative federalism, the index will have representatives of States and will be determined by the market. #MineralReforms,” Pralhad Joshi tweeted @JoshiPralhad.
“Simplifying processes & clarifying definitions to help boost business activities in mineral sector.Interpretation of mining operations is generic & created hindrances in past. Govt is tweaking it to operationalize large number of mines. #MineralReforms #AatmaNirbharBharat,” Pralhad Joshi said in another tweet.
“Govt under PM Shri @narendramodi ji has taken rapid strides to make coal the driver of economy. Now Captive coal miners have been allowed to sell 50% of production, thus ensuring desired coal availability in the market. #MineralReforms,” the Union Minister added.
Meanwhile, earlier, soon after the Parliament passing Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2021, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines and BJP Lawmaker from Karnataka’s Dharwad constituency, Joshi had said that these reforms will make mineral mining sustainable and drive economic activities in the country.
“With the Parliament passing Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2021, stage is set for big-bang reforms in the mining sector. These reforms will make mineral mining sustainable and drive economic activities in the country.#Mineral Reforms,”Union Minister Pralhad Joshi tweeted @JoshiPralhad.
“With its passage in Rajya Sabha, Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2021 stands passed by both Houses of Parliament. It is a step towards attaining mineral security of the nation. I thank all Members who voted in favour of the Bill. #MineralReforms,” Joshi said in another tweet.
“We want to bring private players into this because we have rich minerals like coal, gold, silver, but we are not being able to bring it out. That’s why we are bringing these changes and trying to redefine exploration,” Union mines minister Pralhad Joshi had said in Parliament.
Assuring members in Rajya Sabha, Joshi said the “progressive” bill will not curb the powers of states while creating more jobs. “I assure you that not a single iota of power of the states will be snatched or taken away by this bill.” Joshi also responded to the opposition’s call for a select committee probe on the bill.
“Wide consultations on the bill were held. The bill was circulated to states and 10,500 comments were received. As many as 10 associations and six NGOs had recorded their comments,” the minister said. “As many as 143 mines have been given to states. Since 2015, these mines are with them. Neither those were allotted nor auctioned. Who suffered the loss? We are importing coal despite having the 4th largest resource of coal,” Joshi had stated.
