NEW DELHI | March 04, 2015: Amid an opposition walkout, Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the bill seeking to introduce the system of auction of mines to enhance transparency and augment mineral production.
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2015, which will replace an ordinance promulgated in January, was passed amid vociferous protests by members from TMC, BJD and RSP. Almost the entire opposition walked out after amendments proposed by the opposition--mostly by BJD MPs Bhartruhari Mahtab and Tathagat Satapathy—were rejected by the treasury benches.
As many as four divisions were sought by the opposition which walked out after leader of Congress in the House Mallikarjun Kharge said there was no point staying on as the treasury benches were not ready to accept even a single amendment.
Wrapping up the debate on the legislation, Steel and Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the bill once enacted will increase transparency, end discretion, augment production and benefit the local population.
Noting that iron ore production had gradually declined to 152 million tonnes in 2013-14 from 218 million tonnes in 2009-10 and its exports fell to 16 million tonnes from 47 million tonnes, he said the ordinance was the need of the hour in view of the crisis in the mining sector.
"The sector contributes over two per cent of the GDP but it was in deep crisis. It is one of the biggest employers and its revival will give jobs to our youth," Tomar said.
The bill envisages spending of a fixed percentage of revenue generated from mining on the development of local area and abolition of discretionary power enjoyed by governments, which Tomar said, abetted corruption.
A bill brought by the erstwhile UPA government also ostensibly sought auction but left many windows open to favour a few, the minister claimed.
"We have ceded many powers to states. We have also kept some as we cannot wash our hands of our responsibilities. We have taken into account the suggestions of states and other bodies and this bill is a revolutionary step," he said.
(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)