(a) whether the State Governments are the owner of the minerals in the country;
(b) if so, the provision of prior approval of the Union Government for granting of mining rights of minerals like iron ore, manganese, bauxite etc. is proposed to be abolished;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) if not, the reasons therefore;
(e) whether requests in this regard have been received from some State Governments; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and the follow-up action thereon?
THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI B. K. HANDIQUE)
(a) to (f): State Governments are the owners of the minerals and mineral rights vest in
the State Government. Prior approval of the Central Government is required only in respect
of grant of mineral concessions for minerals mentioned in the First Schedule of Mines and
Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The Government has enunciated National
Mineral Policy, 2008 which seeks to streamline, simplify and increase transparency in the
procedures for grant of mineral concessions. The Government has drafted suitable legislation
in order to give effect to the National Mineral Policy, 2008.