New Delhi | Aug 28, 2017: The panel mandated to review the National Mineral Policy, 2008, and suggest a new framework will submit its report by October-end.

The panel was formed in line with a Supreme Court directive asking the government to take a fresh look at the policy in question.

"... the Supreme Court in its judgement dated August 2, 2017... directed Union of India to revisit the National Mineral Policy 2008 and announce a fresh, more effective, meaningful and implementable policy before December 31, 2017," the mines ministry said in a recent order.

"Now, therefore, it has been decided to set up a committee to review the National Mineral Policy, 2008, and for submission of a report for a new National Mineral Policy...," the ministry added.

The 29-member panel, under the chairmanship of Mines Additional Secretary K Rajeswara Rao, consisting of joint secretaries from ministries like coal, steel, shipping, road, transport and highways and finance as its members, among others, will submit its report by October-end.

The terms of reference of the committee include reviewing "the National Policy 2008 and suggest a new policy taking into account the measures already taken and may need to be taken for bringing in further transparency, balanced social and economic growth, including sustainability of mining industry", the ministry said.

The panel will also make recommendations on conservation and mineral development and protection of environment and steps to assess the carrying capacity of mining in states.

The committee would "suggest measures for improvement of survey and exploration of minerals; database of mineral resources and tenements; scientific methods of mining; manpower development; infrastructure development; financial support for mining and research in mining".

It will examine development of strategic minerals too.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)