The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Ordinance, 2015 has been promulgated on 12.1.2015. A meeting was taken by Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Mines and Steel with State Mining Ministers on 19.1.2015 in New Delhi to discuss the roadmap for implementation of provisions of the Ordinance. It was decided in the meeting to hold a one-day Workshop in States with officials of State Governments and other stakeholders to explain the provisions of the Ordinance and obtain feedback.
Shri Naresh Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Government of India visited Odisha on 28.1.2015. Two separate sessions were held with State Government officials and other stakeholders. The first session was held with senior officers / officials of State's Department of Steel and Mines, Directorate of Mines and Odisha Mining Corporation which was also attended by Shri R. K. Sharma, Principal Secretary, Department of Steel and Mines. This session primarily focused on the provisions of the Ordinance, the process for its implementation by the State Government at all levels, and clarification on any issues connected therewith. The senior, middle and junior level officers actively participated during the discussions. The second session was attended by the representatives of the mining and mineral sector of the State of Odisha, State / Central Public Sector Units, private companies and officials of Directorate of Mines and Geology, Odisha. Issues raised by the stakeholders during the discussions were clarified by Shri Naresh Kumar. Stakeholders were also requested to give specific suggestions which will be considered while framing of rules and regulations for implementing the provisions of the Ordinance.
It was emphasized that allocation of mineral resources through the auction process will ensure greater transparency and give impetus to the mining sector. The provisions of the Ordinance will simplify the process of grant of mineral concessions and their easy transferability, which will attract private investment. It was stressed upon the representatives of the State Government to expedite the identification of mineral blocks to make them available for auction. Concerns were raised by the State Government on the provision of deemed extension for a period of fifteen years for captive users and five years for merchant miners. It was stated that such a provision has been kept in the Ordinance to ensure that supply of raw material to the manufacturing sector is not adversely affected during the transition period.
Shri Naresh Kumar met Shri G.C. Pati, Chief Secretary, State of Odisha and Shri Aditya Prasad Padhi, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister of Odisha and sought their valuable suggestions which will be considered while framing the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of the Ordinance. A need to immediately put in place a mechanism to expedite identification of mineral blocks for auction was also discussed. The State Government was assured that Geological Survey of India and Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited will extend full cooperation and assistance in identification of minerals blocks.
The Workshop, interactions and discussions were held in a very cordial environment where all the participants freely expressed their views. The State Government and all other stakeholders participants were assured that their valuable suggestions will be considered while framing of rules and regulations for implementation of the provisions of the Ordinance.
Shri Naresh Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Government of India visited Odisha on 28.1.2015. Two separate sessions were held with State Government officials and other stakeholders. The first session was held with senior officers / officials of State's Department of Steel and Mines, Directorate of Mines and Odisha Mining Corporation which was also attended by Shri R. K. Sharma, Principal Secretary, Department of Steel and Mines. This session primarily focused on the provisions of the Ordinance, the process for its implementation by the State Government at all levels, and clarification on any issues connected therewith. The senior, middle and junior level officers actively participated during the discussions. The second session was attended by the representatives of the mining and mineral sector of the State of Odisha, State / Central Public Sector Units, private companies and officials of Directorate of Mines and Geology, Odisha. Issues raised by the stakeholders during the discussions were clarified by Shri Naresh Kumar. Stakeholders were also requested to give specific suggestions which will be considered while framing of rules and regulations for implementing the provisions of the Ordinance.
It was emphasized that allocation of mineral resources through the auction process will ensure greater transparency and give impetus to the mining sector. The provisions of the Ordinance will simplify the process of grant of mineral concessions and their easy transferability, which will attract private investment. It was stressed upon the representatives of the State Government to expedite the identification of mineral blocks to make them available for auction. Concerns were raised by the State Government on the provision of deemed extension for a period of fifteen years for captive users and five years for merchant miners. It was stated that such a provision has been kept in the Ordinance to ensure that supply of raw material to the manufacturing sector is not adversely affected during the transition period.
Shri Naresh Kumar met Shri G.C. Pati, Chief Secretary, State of Odisha and Shri Aditya Prasad Padhi, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister of Odisha and sought their valuable suggestions which will be considered while framing the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of the Ordinance. A need to immediately put in place a mechanism to expedite identification of mineral blocks for auction was also discussed. The State Government was assured that Geological Survey of India and Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited will extend full cooperation and assistance in identification of minerals blocks.
The Workshop, interactions and discussions were held in a very cordial environment where all the participants freely expressed their views. The State Government and all other stakeholders participants were assured that their valuable suggestions will be considered while framing of rules and regulations for implementation of the provisions of the Ordinance.
