The Lok Sabha passed The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2015, on Tuesday to replace an ordinance promulgated by the Centre in January, amid protests by members from the CPI(M), Trinamool Congress, Biju Janata Dal , Revolutionary Socialist Party and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, among others.

Participating in the debate, Union Minister for Steel and Mines Narendra Tomar said that the Bill was “revolutionary”.

Augmenting production

He added that once enacted, it would increase transparency and end discretion in the auction of mines. In addition, he said, it would augment production and benefit the local population.

Noting that iron ore production had declined to 152 million tonnes in 2013-14 from 218 million tonnes in 2009-10, and that export had fallen to 16 million tonnes from 47 million tonnes, he said the legislation was the need of the hour as the crisis in the mining sector has been worsening.

“We have ceded many powers to States. We have also kept some as we cannot wash our hands of our responsibilities,” the Minister added. The Bill envisages spending of a fixed percentage of revenue generated from mining on the development of local areas and abolition of discretionary powers enjoyed by governments.

Opposition fears

Earlier, P Sampath of the CPI(M) feared that the amended Bill would “sideline” and “bypass” the Indian Bureau of Mines with regard to preparation, certification and monitoring of mining plans.

Karia Munda of the BJP said the government should prepare a blueprint for displaced tribals to ensure “sabka vikaas” .

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