(a) whether the Government has laid down any provision for the welfare of tribal people whose lands have been acquired by the Mining Companies;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the number of cases of violation of these provisions by the Mining Companies during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise; and
(d) the action taken by the Government during the above-said period against the erring Mining
Companies?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINES (SHRI DINSHA PATEL)
(a)&(b): The Central Government has enunciated National Mineral Policy, 2008, which
seeks to develop a sustainable framework for optimum utilisation of the country’s natural
mineral resources for the industrial growth in the country and at the same time improving the
life of people living in the mining areas, which are generally located in the backward and
tribal regions of the country. The Mineral Policy also enunciates that special care will be
taken to protect the interest of host and indigenous (tribal) populations through developing
models of stakeholder interest based on international best practice. The provisions of the
applicable Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy will be followed for the purpose.
(c)&(d): Relief and Rehabilitation measures are treated as integral to conditions of
grant of the lease and since leases are granted by the State Government, violations are also
dealt by the State Government, and information in this regard is not centrally maintained.