Question : MINING LEGISLATION



(a) whether the present `Mining Legislation` is comprehensive Act and includes the provisions of other essential acts namely Mining Act, 1952, Mines & Minerals(Development & Registration)Act 1957 and Forests Conservation Act & Environment Protection Act; and

(b) if not, the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to make a `Task Force` to draft such a integrated and comprehensive Act?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS, SPORTS AND MINES (SHRI SUKHDEV SINGH DHINDSA)

(a) Entry 54 of List I - Union List of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution gives powers to the Central Government for regulation of mines and mineral development to the extent to which such regulation and development under the control of the Union is declared by Parliament by law to be expedient in the public interest. Accordingly, Mines and Minerals(Development & Regulation)Act,1957(MMDR) has been enacted and is being administered by Ministry of Mines. The laws of the land framed and administered by different Ministries for specific purposes and which have a bearing on the mining sector like the Mines Act 1952, Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and Environment (Protection) Act,1986 etc. are also applicable to the mining sector.

(b) There is no proposal to constitute a Task Force to draft such an integrated and comprehensive Act.