Existing Mineral Act is cumbersome, needs simplification: Amitabh Kant

The Aayog is yet to make a formal presentation to the Ministry of Mines for a fresh MMDR Act but is believed to have had informal discussions with the latter on the same

Government think-tank NITI Aayog has pitched for a new Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, saying that the existing legislation needs to be 'simplified' and contains stringent penalties, which acts as dampener for the miners.

Speaking at the National Conclave on Mines and Minerals, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said that the existing mines and mineral act was cumbersome and needed simplification.

“There should be penalties but at the same time there should be minimum interference from the government,” Vikram Singh Gaur, Joint Secretary, NITI Aayog said.

He said that lesser interference by the authorities would encourage the miners to produce