Question : RESERVED MINES FOR CPSUS

(a) whether the Government reserves mines for the Central Public Sector Units under the Government dispensation route for major minerals;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether there is a demand from the Public Sector Units for reserving mineral bearing areas exclusively for them instead of state- run companies;

(d) if so, the details and the response of the Government thereto; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to reserve mines for Central Public Sector Units under the Government dispensation route for major minerals like iron ore, manganese ore and chrome ore as is being done in the case of coal?

The MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINES, STEEL, LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)

(a)& (b): The Central Governmentmay reserve an areaunder Section 17(A) (1A) of the MMDR Act, 1957 which inter-alia states that “the Central Government may in consultation with the State Government, reserve any area not already held under any prospecting licence or mining lease, for undertaking prospecting or mining operations through a Government company orcorporation owned or controlled by it, and where it proposes to do so, it shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify the boundaries of such area and the mineral or minerals in respect of which such area will be reserved”.

(c): No, Madam.

(d): Does not arise.

(e): There is no Government dispensation route for major minerals like iron ore, manganese ore and chrome ore as is being done in the case of coal to reserve mines for the Central PSUs.