The Government is planning to bring some changes in the mining sector and may invite suggestions from the stakeholders in a fortnight, Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday.
This is in line with the Government’s earlier announcement that the sector will witness reforms and a flurry of activities in the current year.
“We are thinking to bring some changes (in the mining sector),” Joshi said during an event here to mark the handing over of 100 G4 mineral blocks by Geological Survey of India (GSI) to state governments. Without divulging the details of the proposed changes in the sector, he said “I think in another two weeks we can put for state’s comments and stakeholders’ comments.” “We are bringing amendment in the next session of Parliament in November.” Joshi also called for more participation from people into exploration and mining. The Minister also asked states to go for fast decision-making and bring the mineral blocks to early auction.
“I want to make it very clear that the mines which are working and are going to expire, we will not give them through allotment route,” he said.
The Government had earlier said that in order to realise the vision of a self-reliant India, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has delineated 100 geologically potential mineral blocks for auction.