Govt to take a view on lapsed MMDR Bill

The government will take a view on the lapsed Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Bill, 2011 that provided for sharing of 26 per cent of profits with the project affected people.
"We have no choice on that. Isn't it? The MMDR Bill (of 2011) is lapsed," Mines Secretary Anup Pujari told reporters when asked whether a new Bill would be brought in.
"Therefore, the government has to decide on of the three things - either do nothing, remaining the same Bill in substantially the same shape or pick up what is the best thing," he added.
Seeking to replace a more than half-a-century-old law, the UPA-II government in 2011 had tabled the MMDR Bill, 2011 in Lok Sabha in December, 2011. But, it could not be passed.

The Bill envisaged introduction of competitive bidding process to encourage the participation of private parties in the sector.
The 1957 Act of the same name has already been amended several times and further amendments may not clearly reflect the objects emanating from the New National Mineral Policy.
The MMDR Bill, 2011 also sought to empower the state governments to constitute special courts for the purpose of providing speedy trial of the offences relating to illegal mining.
It also intended to empower the central government to intervene in the cases of illegal mining where the concerned state government fails to take action against illegal mining.