The BJD on Monday opposed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2015 and Coal Mining Bill which were tabled in lok Sabha by Mines Minister Piyus Goel. Participating in the debate, BJD leader in the lower House Bhartruhari Mahtab said his party is not against auction of coalmines but opposes the manner in which decisions have been taken without consulting the concerned States.
In the Mining Ordinance that came into effect on January 12, the provision of renewal of mining leases was done away with and instead, automatic renewal was granted to all merchant mining leases till 2020 and for captive mines up to 2030. The State Government demands that it should consider the pending renewal applications. The State had before the Central ordinance decided to cancel the lapsed leases and auction them to boost its revenue collections.