Govt aiming to auction mines in least possible time: Tomar

Government is aiming to table the mines ordinance in the next session of Parliament and also start auctioning in the least possible time, Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said today.
"Our priority is not just to table the draft bill in next session of Parliament, but to start auctioning of mines in the least possible time," Tomar said at a meeting with his senior departmental officials for taking stock of MMDR Ordinance implementation status.
According to an official release, the meeting witnessed detailed discussions on several points under the Ordinance including the mechanism to determine mineralisation, scheme for district mineral foundation and National Mineral Exploration Trust.

There were also discussions on system for certification and monitoring of mining plans, differential area limits for different minerals, terms and conditions for granting non-exclusive reconnaissance permit, rules for transfer and rules and procedure for auction among others.
"Timeline for each activity was duly delineated to speed up the process and meet with the minister's aim of beginning the auctions in the shortest possible time," it said.
The Cabinet had cleared the mines ordinance on January 5 and the President gave his approval on January 12.