Mines regulation Act to be tabled in parliament's next session

Kolkata, Nov 7 (IANS) The Mines and Minerals Development & Regulation (MMDR) Act will be tabled in parliament in the winter session for some amendments, a top bureaucrat said here Friday.

'We are looking at developing more transparency and speed in the mining sector through regulations,' Union Mines Secretary Shantanu Consul told reporters on the sidelines of Global Mining Summit.

Talking about time-bound projects, he said proposals for setting up empowered committee both at the state and the central levels, which would continuously monitor issues related to mining, is also mentioned in the amendment.

It is also mentioned that if something is being delayed then these committees could make interventions, he said.

Apart from speed and transparency, enhancement of royalties for the state is proposed in the amendments of the MMDR Act.

'Royalties would more than double,' he said.

Talking about the tussle between various states over sharing of mineral resources he said: 'The idea is mineral should be exploited and distribute minerals in a fair and equitable manner.'

Legitimate demand of the state governments on one side and the impact it will have on the mining sector will be evaluated by the ministry.