Date | Jan 21, 2015: In an exclusive interaction with CNBC-TV18, Mines Secretary Anup Pujari said that government is pushing to expedite environmental clearances to increase production of minerals, which has come to a standstill.

“The mining sector was in standstill because of two reasons one, new mines were not being allocated and second the renewal process has come to a standstill as specially second and subsequent renewal,” he said.

Pujari also added that transparency in allocation and monetisation of mining leases will attract companies to bid for minerals.

(Source: http://www.moneycontrol.com/)