Cabinet to take up mines ordinance in next few days

The Union Cabinet did not take up the matter of mines ordinance for discussion as its plate was already full, sources said.
The ordinance that would pave the way for auction of iron ore and other minerals as proposed in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Bill is likely to be taken up in a few days, they added.
The Mines Ministry has already circulated a note among various ministries to bring in some important amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
The sector has been reeling under several issues such as mining ban. The previous UPA government had brought in a Bill in 2011 to amend the Act. But the Bill got lapsed with the dissolution of the previous Lok Sabha.

The Ministry said the ordinance route was necessary as it was finding difficult to take decision in between the existing Act and the new Bill, particularly on allocating mines.
The Bill sought to introduce competitive bidding through the auction route for iron ore and other minerals. It also focuses on attracting private investment and latest technology and eliminating delay in administration.