Union Steel and Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar stated at a Press meet here on Wednesday that the Central Government is contemplating an amendment to the MMDR Act, 2011 and is engaged in discussions with the State Governments to understand the local issues. He added that the Shah Commission report and several Supreme Court decisions are being studied for the purpose.
He said he has already visited Goa, Karnataka and Rajasthan for the purpose. Odisha Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Kumar Mallick, Union Steel and Mines Secretary Anup Kumar Pujari and Nalco CMD Ansuman Das were present with Tomar.
Underlining the emphasis of the Modi Government on speedy decisions, Tomar pointed out that all options available under the existing laws are being explored to break the logjam in the mining industry. He mentioned many decisions taken in this direction that include the power given to the State Governments to deal with clearance applications related to non-notified areas and approval to mines with areas less than five hectares.
He said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, during discussions with him earlier in the day, requested him to consider taking over of the Nilachal Ispat Nigam limited by the SAIl which would be examined favourably by the Centre. He also assured that renewal permissions for Nalco’s Pottangi bauxite mines would also be expedited.
Tomar also faced a barrage of questions on a possibility of the investigation of the State’s mining scam being handed over to the CBI in the light of the Shah Commission recommendation. He brushed the questions aside with a remark that there is a procedure for handing over cases to the CBI and the Government cannot do it on its own whim.
He added that the Shah Commission report is being studied by the Supreme Court, and the State Government has also initiated investigation into the irregularities. Those exercises must conclude before any decision can be taken on any involvement of the CBI.
Tomar, who is also the Union labour and Employment Minister, reeled out a slew of labour-friendly decisions taken by the Centre. They included a minimum pension of Rs 1,000 per month, a hike of the ESI wage level from Rs 6,500 to Rs 15,000, freedom to the State Governments to upgrade medical facilities in the ESI outlets up to certain investment levels, increased benefits for Bidi workers and amendment to Apprentice Act.
In an attempt to ensure that the employers are not neglected, he mentioned steps to help them which included filing of returns through a web portal and implementing a system that would regulate and monitor the visit of the inspectors to specific units.
Tomar said the Modi Government is keen to rise above narrow political considerations as exemplified by the recent revision of royalty of minerals that would add Rs 16,000 crore to the Odisha Government’s kitty even at the currently-subdued level of mining. Answering a question, Anup Pujari clarified that there is no possibility of the royalty revision being retrospectively applicable.
Answering a question, Tomar indicated that the proposed ESI Medical College would come up in Bhubaneswar. “I am personally not in favour of the ESI or the Ministry setting up medical colleges as it is not their core competence. But the process for the college in Bhubaneswar has already started and it will be completed as planned,” he added.