India
Government think-tank Niti Aayog said that all the approvals concerning the mines should be taken before the mineral blocks are auctioned
In an act to give a push to mining minerals in the country, the Centre is considering to grant all approvals, including environmental clearance, to mineral blocks before putting them for sale.
Government think-tank Niti Aayog said that all the approvals concerning the mines should be taken before the mineral blocks are auctioned. This is to ensure that the work is not stopped midway if there is a default in obtaining clearances.
"It is the work of Niti Aayog to deliberate on such issues. Definitely, that issue is in their knowledge and Niti Aayog is working on it.We also want that this kind of system is set up. But for that, it will take a little time and we are in discussions on this," Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said.
The government had earlier said that unless issues related to green clearances and land rights are addressed upfront, India may not make much progress in auctioning of mineral blocks in the future.
Recently, Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said there is a need to overhaul the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act again.
He had also said there is a need to make the Act easy and simple.
The government had recently said it has given in-principle approval to provide single clearance for environment and forest to the new leaseholders of the 288 mining leases expiring in two years.
Of the 43 mineral blocks auctioned so far, the states will earn a revenue of Rs 1.55 lakh crore over the lease period.
Work is being carried out in around 102 mineral blocks and the auction of these mines will happen soon, the minister had earlier said.
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