In order to enhance mining in the country, the Union Government will soon introduce amendments to Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act. This was stated by Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Mines, Steel and Labour and Employment. He was speaking at the launch of the inaugural ceremony of a metals and mining exhibition in New Delhi. “We are looking at some amendments to the MMDR Act and hope to introduce them soon. We feel that the amendments will help resolve the issues that have led to the stagnation of mining in the country,” he said. However, the minister, did not elaborate on the amendments and also declined to give a timeline for introducing the changes. Meanwhile, Naveen Jindal, Chairman, Jindal Steel and Power, said that the industry needs more clarity on coal mining. “The Supreme Court has declared the allocation of coal blocks illegal. Already Rs. 4,00,000 crore has been invested by the industry in developing the coal blocks. These companies pay tax as well as generate employment. Therefore, there needs to be more clarity on the policy front when it comes to coal mining,” he said.
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